New Delhi: Renowned former special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam has thrown his hat into the political ring, emerging as the Bharatiya Janata Partys candidate for the Mumbai North Central constituency in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. He will be pitted against Congress stalwart Varsha Gaikwad, replacing sitting MP Poonam Mahajan, as decided by the BJP.Ujjwal Nikam boasts an extensive legal career, having been involved in high-profile cases such as the 1993 Bombay bombings, the Gulshan Kumar murder case, the Pramod Mahajan murder case, and notably, the 2008 Mumbai attacks. His role as the special public prosecutor in the 2013 Mumbai gang rape case further underscores his legal prowess. In recognition of his contributions, Nikam was honored with the Padma Shri award in 2016.Hailing from Jalgaon, Nikams candidacy for Mumbai North Central marks a strategic shift for the BJP, considering his prior consideration as a potential candidate from Jalgaon in the previous elections.The decision to replace Poonam Mahajan stemmed from various poll surveys indicating a negative perception of her candidacy. While there were discussions surrounding Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelars candidacy, he purportedly declined the offer. Speculation also arose regarding Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixits potential candidacy for the seat.Poonam Mahajan clinched victories in the 2014 and 2019 elections, triumphing over Congresss Priya Dutt, who held the MP position from 2009 to 2014.
