BJP files complaint with ECI against Cong leader Wadettiwar for 'defaming' Ujjwal Nikam

BJP has filed a complaint with the Election Commission against Congress and Vijay Wadettiwar for accusing their Mumbai North Central candidate, Ujjwal Nikam, of anti-nationalism. Wadettiwar had alleged that Nikam concealed information about the death of Hemant Karkare during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Nikam denies the claims and has labeled them as "lies" aimed at defaming him. BJP's Mumbai president, Ashish Shekar, has condemned the allegations and urged the commission to take action. The dispute stems from a book written by retired police officer SM Mushriff, which claims that Karkare was killed by a bullet fired by a policeman affiliated with RSS. Nikam, a respected former prosecutor, is running for the Mumbai North Central seat on a BJP ticket against Congress candidate Varsha Gaikwad.

The 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.

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.

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. 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.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)