Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday launched a scathing attack on Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar, accusing him of sensationalism over remarks regarding the late Hemant Karkare, the former chief of Maharashtra ATS. Shinde remarked, "The statement by Vijay Wadettiwar regarding the martyred policemen and innocent Mumbaikars who lost their lives in the 26/11 attacks is highly irritating and infuriating." "Vijay Wadettiwar seems to have lost his senses following the slogan of Rahul Gandhi, who is not conducting Bharat Jodo Yatra but 'Bharat Todo Yatra'," he further added, as quoted by news agency ANI.
Responding to Wadettiwar's allegations, BJP leader Shaina Chudasama Munot condemned the Congress, stating, "Congress has no ideology. They have stooped to such a level that they have raised a question mark against the Public Prosecutor who hanged Kasab, who is being saluted by the whole of Mumbai. This shows that Congress has been wiped out in this election and they have no issues left."
Devika Rotawan, who identified terrorist Ajmal Kasab during the 26/11 attacks, also criticised Wadettiwar's accusations against BJP candidate Ujjwal Nikam. Rotawan questioned, "If Ajmal Kasab did not fire then who did it? Did you see it? If you want to support Pakistan then you go there. You do politics on other issues. Accusing Ujjwal Nikam is wrong. He stood against terrorism. It is wrong." Rotawan stressed that politics should not be done over such sensitive matters.
"Why didn't he talk about this earlier? You don't deserve to be in this country. Ujjwal Nikam is not a traitor, but the one who is talking against it?" she remarked, speaking to news agency PTI.
BJP Files ECI Complaint Against Vijay Wadettiwar's Remarks
The BJP, in response to Wadettiwar's remarks, has taken action by lodging a complaint with the Election Commission of India. The party accuses Wadettiwar of spreading lies and defaming their Mumbai North Central nominee, Ujjwal Nikam.
The allegations made by Wadettiwar, based on the book 'Who Killed Karkare' by retired police officer SM Mushriff, were termed as false and unfounded by Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar. Shelar stated, "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 further questioned whether Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray supported Wadettiwar's statements.
Vijay Wadettiwar's 26/11 Allegations Against BJP Candidate And Ex-Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam
The controversy erupted as Wadettiwar, Leader of the Opposition in Maharashtra assembly, purportedly called Nikam an anti-national and accused him of withholding information about Karkare's death during the 26/11 terror attack.
Nikam, a former special public prosecutor known for handling high-profile cases, is making his political debut from the Mumbai North Central seat on a BJP ticket, contesting against city Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad.
Speaking at a press conference held in Kolhapur on Sunday, Wadettiwar asserted, "There were no bullet wounds on Hemant Karkare's body during the attacks. This is not just my opinion, but a fact mentioned in the book written by S.M. Mushrif. If this is true, then it indicates a conspiracy against the nation, as I have stated," as quoted by ABP Majha.
Shashi Tharoor Calls For Probe On 26/11 Allegations, Casts Doubts On Ujjwal Nikam
Amidst the storm triggered by Wadettiwar's remarks, his party colleague Shashi Tharoor has called for a thorough investigation. Tharoor emphasised that when the Leader of the Opposition points to an allegation, it warrants serious inquiry, asserting that the nation deserves to know the truth.
Tharoor highlighted the gravity of the matter, referencing claims made by former IG of police, SM Mushrif, in his book. He stated, "The bullets found in Karkare's body could not have been fired by Ajmal Kasab and that it could have been fired by a police revolver." Tharoor urged for a comprehensive investigation into these allegations, asserting that it is not too late for the truth to emerge.
"The matter is extremely serious. Our concern is that when the LoP points to something that is an allegation that has been in the public domain for some time and which featured in a book by the former IG of police, SM Mushrif, who said that the bullets found in Karkare's body could not have been fired by Ajmal Kasab and that it could have been fired by a police revolver. It seems to me that this allegation should have been seriously investigated. And it is not too late. Because on such an important matter, the nation has every right to know what happened," he told ANI.
In addition, Tharoor took a swipe at the then prosecutor and current BJP candidate, Ujjwal Nikam, accusing him of propagating unfounded claims. Tharoor referenced Nikam's assertion that the terrorist was served Biryani in jail, branding it as an unjustified myth.
He expressed concerns over Nikam's political bias potentially influencing his actions, stating, "We already had known that he (Ujjwal Nikam) had propagated this unjustified myth that the Pakistani terrorist was served Biryani in prison and that is something that shows him in a very poor light. If, indeed he has already revealed his political bias in that moment, then there is every reason to worry whether his political bias had influenced any other of his stands. We are not saying that the allegation is true. We are saying it should be investigated."
Tharoor clarified that they are not affirming the veracity of the allegations but are advocating for a thorough investigation to ascertain the truth.