Lok Sabha elections 2024: BJP writes to EC for action against Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar for 'defaming' Ujjwal Nikam

Vijay Wadettiwar. File Pic

Amid ongoing Lok Sabha elections 2024, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has written to the Election Commission of India seeking action against Congress and the opposition leader, Vijay Wadettiwar, for allegedly peddling lies and defaming its Mumbai North Central nominee and ex-26/11 prosecution lawyer Ujjwal Nikam, reported news PTI.

Vijay Wadettiwar, the leader of the opposition in the Maharashtra legislative assembly, purportedly called Nikam an "anti-national" and accused him of hiding the information that then Maharashtra ATS chief Hemant Karkare wasn't killed by Kasab's bullet during the 26/11 terror attack, but fell to a bullet of a policeman affiliated to RSS.

His allegations were based on the book "Who Killed Karkare" written by retired police officer SM Mushriff. "As a responsible leader, the opposition leader should desist from making such comments that can help the enemy nation," Nikam said. Terming Wadettiwar's statements as "false and not based on facts", Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shekar claimed they were aimed at defaming Ujjwal Nikam and inciting emotions.

"We have written to the Election Commission of India seeking action against Wadettiwar who is a star campaigner (of Congress) and also against the Congress party for peddling lies," he added. Shelar further said (Ajmal) Kasab was sentenced to death for killing innocent people after following a due process of law, reported PTI

Kasab was the lone terrorist who was captured alive by Mumbai Police during the 26/11 terror attack by Pakistani terrorists in which at least 166 people were killed and several others were injured. Shelar wondered whether Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray supported the statement made by the Congress leader, reported PTI

A former special public prosecutor, Nikam had represented the state in high-profile cases like the Mumbai serial bomb blasts and the 2008 Mumbai terror attack. He is making his political foray from Mumbai North Central seat on a BJP ticket and is pitted against city Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad.

The city will vote on May 20 and the counting will be held on June 4.

Of the 48 seats in Maharashtra, Mumbai accounts for six, while the adjoining Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) has four. Mumbai's six seats include Mumbai North, Mumbai North East, Mumbai North West, Mumbai North Central, Mumbai South and Mumbai South Central. The MMR has Thane, Kalyan, Bhiwandi and Palghar.

In 2019, three of Mumbai's seats went to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) - Gopal Shetty (Mumbai North), Manoj Kotak (Mumbai North East) and Poonam Mahajan (Mumbai North Central). The remaining three were won by the Shiv Sena - Gajanan Kirtikar (Mumbai North West), Rahul Shewale (Mumbai South Central) and Arvind Sawant (Mumbai South).

However, between 2019 and 2024, the Sena has split into Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde-led and Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) factions; and the Nationalist Congress Party has Ajit Pawar and Sharad Pawar factions.

The Lok Sabha elections 2024 will be fought with two alliances - the ruling Mahayuti comprising BJP, NCP (Ajit Pawar) and Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) faction and the MVA or Maha Aghadi, with Sena (UBT), NCP (Sharad Pawar) and Congress.

(With inputs from PTI)