The Aryavarth Express
Agency (New Delhi): The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has formally requested the Election Commission of India to take action against Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar. The BJP claims that Wadettiwar defamed the party’s Mumbai North Central candidate, Ujjwal Nikam, by spreading false allegations. Wadettiwar had reportedly accused Nikam of being “anti-national” and withholding key information about the death of Maharashtra ATS chief Hemant Karkare during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.
Wadettiwar’s allegations are said to be based on the book “Who Killed Karkare” by retired police officer S.M. Mushriff. Nikam criticized Wadettiwar’s remarks, urging responsible leaders to avoid statements that could potentially aid adversaries of the nation.
Ashish Shelar, the BJP’s Mumbai president, labeled Wadettiwar’s claims as “false and not based on facts.” He suggested that they were intended to malign Nikam’s reputation and provoke public sentiment. Shelar explained that the BJP wrote to the Election Commission seeking action against Wadettiwar and the Congress for “peddling lies.”
Ashish Shelar emphasized that Kasab, the lone terrorist captured alive during the 26/11 attacks, was found guilty of killing innocent people after a thorough legal process. Kasab was later executed for his role in the attacks, which resulted in the deaths of at least 166 people and injuries to many others.
Shelar also questioned whether Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray supported Wadettiwar’s statements. The Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and Sharad Pawar’s NCP are all part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition.
A former special public prosecutor, Nikam is now making his political debut as the BJP’s candidate for the Mumbai North Central constituency. He has represented the government in significant cases such as the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts and the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.