The BJP has sharpened its claws against Maharashtra Congress leader and opposition leader Vijay Wadettiwar for his purported remarks against ex-26/11 prosecution lawyer and BJP Mumbai North Central candidate Ujjwal Nikam by approaching the Election Commission of India against him.
Wadettiwar allegedly 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 who was affiliated to RSS. Wadettiwar's allegations were based on the book "Who Killed Karkare" written by retired police officer SM Mushriff.
Wadettiwar's remarks triggered controversy with both BJP and Shiv Sena rallying against him. While the Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde called for the detaining of the Congress leader and a probe by NIA to "investigate his reasons for defending terrorist Ajmal Kasab.
BJP leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis too hit out at Congress, alleging that "Congress was worried about Ajmal Kasab" and wants to support terrorists by targeting Nikam. "As per opposition leader Vijay Waddetiwar, Ujjwal Nikam insulted Kasab. Kasab terrorised the city and the Congress is worried about him. Mahayuti is supporting Ujjwal Nikam and MVA is supporting Kasab. Now you decide who you should vote for," Fadnavis said.
On Sunday, the BJP approached the ECI seeking action against Congress and Vijay Wadettiwar, for "peddling lies and defaming Ujjwal Nikam."
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.
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. He was put on trial and later hanged to death.
The BJP fielded Ujjwal Nikam replacing Poonam Mahajan who wrested the constituency in 2014 from Congress. She retained the seat in 2019.
Nikam is making his poll debut against the Congress' Mumbai unit chief and Dharavi MLA Varsha Gaikwad. Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi and All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen candidates are also in the fray.
