In a surprising move, the BJP has decided to drop Poonam Mahajan, their sitting MP, for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Mumbai North Central constituency. The party has instead chosen to field Ujjwal Nikam, a prominent special public prosecutor, sparking controversy and speculation over the decision. Some cite anti-incumbency as the reason for the change, while others point to the need for a Marathi candidate to balance out the non-Marathi contenders fielded by the party. This decision by the BJP comes just 48 hours after the Congress announced their candidate for the constituency.
BJP Drops Poonam Mahajan, Fields Ujjwal Nikam in Mumbai North Central
In a dramatic turn of events, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has dropped its sitting Member of Parliament (MP) from Mumbai North Central constituency, Poonam Mahajan, who is the daughter of late BJP leader Pramod Mahajan. The party has instead chosen to field Ujjwal Nikam, a renowned special public prosecutor, as its candidate for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Background
Poonam Mahajan has been the MP from Mumbai North Central since 2014. She had a comfortable victory in the last elections, defeating Congress candidate Priya Dutt by a margin of over 1.5 lakh votes. However, recent opinion polls and surveys had indicated a decline in her popularity due to anti-incumbency and dissatisfaction among voters.
The BJP is also facing a challenge in the constituency due to the presence of non-Marathi candidates from both the Congress and the Shiv Sena. The party's decision to field Nikam, a Marathi candidate, is seen as an attempt to balance out the ethnicity factor. Nikam is a high-profile name, known for his role as the special public prosecutor in the high-profile Mumbai terrorist attacks case. His popularity and reputation could potentially sway the Marathi vote bank in favor of the BJP.
Controversy and Speculation
The BJP's decision has sparked controversy and speculation. Some party insiders have expressed concerns about Mahajan's dropping, citing her strong electoral record and her father's legacy. Others have defended the decision, arguing that it was necessary to prevent anti-incumbency from affecting the party's chances in the constituency.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
1. Why did the BJP drop Poonam Mahajan?
2. Who is Ujjwal Nikam?
3. What are the challenges facing the BJP in Mumbai North Central?
4. How strong is Nikam's candidacy?
5. What is the significance of Nikam's selection?
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