As Congress targets Nikam, Ajmal Kasab becomes centre of poll spat in Maharashtra

A strange but unsavoury controversy has erupted in Maharashtra over the killing of Maharashtra's Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) chief Hemant Karkare during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack after Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar on Saturday (May 4) alleged that it was not Ajmal Kasab but an RSS-linked cop who killed ATS chief.

While slamming both the noted lawyer Ujjwal Nikam and the BJP for fielding him from Mumbai North Central, Wadettiwar said, "Nikam defamed Congress by raising the issue of biryani. Will anyone give biryani to Kasab? Later, Ujjwal Nikam accepted it. What kind of a lawyer is he, a traitor who did not even testify in the court? The bullet that killed Mumbai Police officer Hemant Karkare was not fired from Kasab's gun, but from a police officer loyal to RSS at that time. If the BJP is giving a ticket to a traitor who hid this truth from the court, then the question arises of why is BJP supporting these traitors?"

Nikam was a public prosecutor in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack trial.

Shiv Sena calls remarks derogatory

Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde condemned Wadettiwar's purported remarks on 26/11 martyrs and Mumbai Police. "Wadettiwar should be detained by NIA and investigated to find out why is defending terrorist Ajmal Kasab (who was hanged after trial). The Congress party promotes terrorism," the Shiv Sena said in a statement.

Shiv Sena secretary and spokesperson Kiran Pawaskar accused Wadettiwar of making disrespectful remarks about the valiant policemen who sacrificed their lives during the 26/11 terrorist attack. "Wadettiwar's remarks emphasise the track record of the Congress which promotes terrorism rather than its prevention. The Congress is not a party that prevents terrorism but it promotes terrorism," he alleged.

Pawaskar also questioned the "silence" of Uddhav Thackeray and alleged the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader was reluctant to speak about Wadettiwar for fear of upsetting certain communities. He demanded Wadettiwar apologise in public to the kin of the martyrs of the 26/11 attack and the police force for his derogatory remarks.

Pawaskar reiterated the BJP's endorsement of Nikam's candidature, citing his "unwavering dedication to justice, especially in cases of Dalit oppression such as the Khairlanji massacre". He said Congress' criticism of Nikam was baseless and an affront to the exemplary reputation of the Mumbai Police.

The BJP Yuva Morcha in Mumbai staged a protest against "pro-Pakistan" Congress for calling Ujjwal Nikam an anti-national.

Joining the slugfest, BJP's National General Secretary Vinod Tawde came down heavily on Wadettiwar and his party. "Congress can stoop to any level to please and get its special vote bank. Senior leader of Maharashtra Congress and LoP Vijay Wadettiwar proved this by giving a clean chit to the terrorists of 26/11. According to him, Kasab did not shoot at martyr Hemant Karkare ji. Did Congress not feel ashamed at all while supporting the terrorists? Today the whole country has also come to know why prayers are being offered in Pakistan for the victory of Congress and the prince," Tawde said.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis took a dig at the Opposition, saying it is “worried for Ajmal Kasab” and wants to support terrorists by targeting Nikam. “According to 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,” he reportedly said.

It is all written in the book

Stung by the criticism, a defensive Wadettiwar later clarified to say that what he said was quoted from SM Mushrif’s book Who Killed Karkare?. "Those are not my words. I just said what was written in SM Mushrif's book. The book had complete information. The bullet with which Hemant Karkare was shot was not a terrorist's bullet."

Mushrif, an ex- Inspector General of Police, wrote the book in 2009.

Questioning Nikam’s intention behind not bringing this fact before the court, Wadettiwar said, “Hemant Karkare was not killed by terrorists' bullets. This is written in the book of police officer SM Mushrif. Why did Ujjwal Nikam not bring this to the fore? Police officer SM Mushrif has written in his book that Hemant Karkare was killed by a bullet, and that bullet is not of extremists (terrorists)... It is not a big deal to hang Ajmal Kasab, any ordinary lawyer or bailout lawyer could have done this."

Karkare was killed in action during the terror attack and awarded posthumously Ashok Chakra, India's highest bravery award. Nikam represented the government in the case. He is pitted against Congress's Varsha Gaikwad.

Congress slams Nikam for biryani lie

Meanwhile, AICC spokesperson Supriya Shrinate on Saturday alleged the BJP replaced a woman MP with someone like lawyer Ujjwal Nikam in Lok Sabha elections whose "lie" about 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab being served biryani in jail had been exposed in the past.

The BJP picked former special public prosecutor Nikam from the Mumbai North Central constituency by dropping sitting MP Poonam Mahajan.

Addressing a press conference, Shrinate said the people will teach the BJP a lesson by electing Congress candidate Varsha Gaikwad from the Mumbai North Central seat.

"Nikam's falsehood on Ajmal Kasab being served Biryani in jail was exposed a few years ago and he too had accepted his lie," she claimed.

Tide is turning: Congress

Expressing confidence that the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) will win all six seats in Mumbai, Shrinate claimed the BJP has to import candidates from outside to contest elections.

She alleged Union minister Piyush Goyal, who is BJP's nominee from Mumbai North constituency, cannot tolerate the smell of fishermen who are the original inhabitants of Mumbai.

"As the political atmosphere in the country is turning against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP, they are spreading falsehood about the Congress by attributing motives to the party if it is elected to power. Since the BJP hasn't done any good work in the last ten years, they are speaking only about Congress and Rahul Gandhi," she alleged.

(With agency inputs)