In a surprising move, the BJP fielded Ujjwal Nikam from Mumbai Central constituency. Nikam will replace the sitting MP Poonam Mahajan who won BJP 2014 and 2019 elections from Mumbai.
Ujwal Nikam, the 2016 Padma Shri awardee, was given the highest award for his contribution in the legal field.
Nikam has fought several high-profile cases including the 2013 Mumbai gang rape case. He played an important role in providing justice to the victims and their families. He also was involved in the 1993 Bombay bombings case, the Gulshan Kumar murder case, the Pramod Mahajan case and the most crucial case that earned him the huge image 2008 Mumbai terror attack.
After the Mumbai terror accused Ajmal Kasab was executed, Nikam expressed his sentiments saying that it was a significant victory for India to bring the aKesab to justice.
Nikam will be facing Congress' Varsha Gaikward in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.