BJP writes to ECI seeking action against Congress leader Wadettiwar over ‘Kasab didn’t kill Karkare’ remark

BJP writes to ECI seeking action against Congress leader Wadettiwar over ‘Kasab didn’t kill Karkare’ remark

Congress leader from Maharashtra Vijay Wadettiwar courted a major controversy over his remarks about the death of former state anti-terrorism squad (ATS) head Hemant Karkare during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

In his “contentious” claim, Wadettiwar stated that Karkare succumbed to bullet injuries due to firing by a police officer affiliated to RSS and not by terrorist Ajmal Kasab.

He then went on to accuse the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Mumbai North Central candidate and former 26/11 prosecution lawyer Ujjwal Nikam of hiding the information, and called him an “anti-national”.

“During 26/11, Hemant Karkare was not shot by Kasab. A police officer shot him on the instructions of RSS. Public Prosecutor Adv. Ujjwal Nikam knew this yet chose to hide this fact,” he said.

BJP writes to ECI for action against Wadettiwar 

The saffron party on Sunday (May 5) wrote to the Election Commission of India to take stern action against the Congress leader over allegedly hawking lies and defaming Nikam.

Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shekar rebuffed Wadettiwar’s claims as “false and not based on facts” and said that his statements were aimed at maligning Nikam’s image by stirring 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.

Shekar further said that Kasab was a terrorist and was sentenced to death after following a due process of law for claiming the lives of several innocent people.

Wadettiwar later released a clarification stating that his remarks about Karkare’s death were based on a book titled “Who Killed Karkare” written by retired police officer SM Mushriff.

Nikam, in response, hit out at the opposition leader and said he “should desist from making such comments that can help the enemy nation.”

(With inputs from agencies)