Ujjwal Nikam, famed for 26/11 conviction of terrorist Ajmal Kasab, is BJP’s candidate from Mumbai North Central

With his extensive experience in the legal field, Ujjwal Nikam is poised to make a foray into politics. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has nominated him to contest from the Mumbai North Central constituency. His direct competition will be with Congress candidate Varsha Gaikwad, the Congress city unit chief and Dharavi MLA, presenting a dynamic electoral faceoff. The Mumbai North Central constituency goes to polls on May 20

Having garnered widespread recognition for his legal prowess and handling of high-profile cases, Nikam’s entry into politics adds an intriguing dimension to the electoral landscape. Ujjwal Nikam, the legal luminary is known for his role in securing the death penalty for Ajmal Kasab, one of the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. As a two-time Member of Parliament, Poonam Mahajan has been replaced by Nikam, signalling the party’s trust in his ability to represent their interests effectively.The decision to field him in the Mumbai North Central seat indicates the BJP’s strategic positioning in the region.

Nikam’s legal repertoire extends far beyond this landmark case in which he secured death penalty for Kasab. Nikam had represented the Maharashtra government in several sensational cases, including the Gulshan Kumar murder and the Shakti Mills gang rapes. According to media reports, Nikam has secured convictions for 628 criminals and death sentences for 37 accused individuals.

In recognition of his contributions to the field of law, Nikam was honored with the Padma Shri award in 2016.

Reflecting on his candidacy, Nikam remarked, “I view politics not as a mere battleground but as a platform for social service and national duty. It’s a privilege to contribute to the nation through politics, and I embrace this opportunity with gratitude.”

He says, “Indeed it is a very pleasant and surprising moment for me. I was practicing against criminals, now God has given me the second inning in the new temple of democracy, i,e., the Parliament…”

On BJP fields Special Public Prosecutor during 26/11 Mumbai Terror attack case, Ujjwal Nikam as its candidate from Mumbai North Central, Union Minister and BJP candidate from Mumbai North, Piyush Goyal says, “It’s a proud moment for all of us that Ujjwal Nikam will raise the voice of his fight against terrorism, in the Parliament now and will work with us towards the PM Modi’s vision of eliminating terrorism from its roots. Poonam Mahajan is our sister. Whatever party decides for us and gives the role, we do that with utmost honesty.”

On Ujjwal Nikam, BJP candidate from Mumbai North Central, Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar says, “The person who prominently fought for Mumbai people and against those who did terrorism in the nation, BJP has given ticket to such an advocate Ujjwal Nikam…He played a prominent role in giving death penalty to Yakub Memon, the mastermind behind the bomb blast that happened in Mumbai…a true Mumbaikar will now reach the Parliament. I appeal to opposition parties that they should withdraw the nomination of candidates who’re fighting against Ujjwal Nikam, who is such a true patriot and the one who fought for the people of Mumbai”

Ujjwal Nikam’s journey into the legal arena was shaped by his roots in Jalgaon, Maharashtra, where his father served as a respected judge and counsel. His legal education at Maniyar Law College, Jalgaon, laid the groundwork for a distinguished career characterized by unwavering dedication to justice.

Spanning three decades, Nikam’s name has become synonymous with legal history, his expertise extending from landmark terror trials, such as the 1993 Mumbai Blasts, to relentless pursuit of justice in cases of heinous crimes like murders and rapes.