The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced senior lawyer Ujjwal Devrao Nikam as its candidate for the Mumbai North-Central Lok Sabha seat in Maharashtra, replacing sitting MP Poonam Mahajan. The decision was made public as part of the list of Lok Sabha candidates released by the party on Saturday.

Ujjwal Nikam gained national recognition for his pivotal role as the Special Public Prosecutor in the case against Ajmal Kasab, the terrorist involved in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Nikam's efforts were instrumental in securing the conviction of Kasab, who was subsequently executed in 2012.

Apart from the 26/11 case, Nikam has also served as the prosecutor in several other high-profile cases, including the 1993 Bombay bomb blasts, a hit-and-run case, and the Pune serial bomb blasts. His track record as a prosecutor has earned him a reputation for being a formidable legal advocate.

Nikam's nomination marks a significant shift in BJP's strategy for the Mumbai North-Central seat, indicating a change in leadership and a fresh approach to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra. His candidacy is expected to generate considerable interest and discussion, given his notable legal career and involvement in high-profile cases.