Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis joined issue with the Opposition today over the BJP’s choice of candidate from the Mumbai North Central constituency. Over the last few days, the declaration of Ujjwal Nikam, the former special public prosecutor, has sparked a row.

The BJP had dropped sitting legislator Poonam Mahajan and announced the new name.

Mr Fadnavis said the Opposition “is worried about Ajmal Kasab and wants to support terrorists by targeting Nikam”.

The Congress had been the first to mock the BJP over its choice. Senior leader Supriya Shrinate said the BJP had chosen a candidate whose “lie about 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab being served biryani in jail had been exposed in the past”.

Vijay Wadettiwar, a Congress leader from Maharashtra, sparked a significant controversy with his remarks on the death of police official Hemant Karkare during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Wadettiwar claimed that Karkare was not killed by terrorist Ajmal Kasab but by a police officer linked to the RSS, leading to strong criticism and backlash from various sources.

In other news, we have: ‘Out Of Shame, I Could Not…’: CJI Chandrachud Recalls Childhood Caning, Vouches For Better Juvenile Justice; Priyanka Chopra Posts A Shoutout For Kareena Kapoor, Welcomes Her To The UNICEF Family: ‘Well Deserved’