Nikam, a prominent presence on prime time TV during the trial of Ajmal Kasab, the sole survivor among the Lashkar gang who went on a rampage killing innocents, as well as during the trial of the accused in the 1993 serial blasts, is expected to be a good fit for BJP’s “tough-on-terrorism” plank.He has come in place of the daughter of late BJP leader stalwart Pramod Mahajan.
“We can serve society and the country through politics. I have received this opportunity to serve the nation. Therefore, I consider myself lucky,” said Nikam after being named as BJP’s candidate.
TOI, in its edition of April 23, had reported the BJP leadership’s plan to drop Poonam and Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, the incumbent at Ladakh, who has been substituted by Tashi Gyalson.
With this, the spotlight has turned on the party leadership’s plans for Kaiserganj seat in UP, amid indications that the party is considering replacing sitting MP Brij Bhushan Singh, who is accused of sexually harassing women wrestlers, with his wife Ketki Singh.
Poonam’s axing is also seen as symbolising the leadership’s twin messages of “party comes first” and “nobody is indispensable”. Though relatively young, she was twice fielded from Mumbai North Central, seen as a tribute to the contribution made by her father Pramod Mahajan. Poonam was also made the chief of the party’s youth wing. While her career seemed to be on the rise, indications of the leadership souring on her surfaced soon because of what sources described as “intensity deficit”. Sources said that she was not able to fulfill the BJP leadership’s expectations.
Poonam, in her first reaction after being replaced, took the decision gracefully and thanked the BJP leadership for allowing her to represent the constituency for 10 years.
“I will always be indebted to the family-like people of the area for loving me not only as an MP but also like a daughter, and I hope that this relationship will always remain. My role model, my father Late Pramod Mahajan Ji showed me the path of ‘Nation first, then us’. I pray to God that I can follow the same path throughout my life,” she said in a post on X.
The fate of Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh hangs in the balance as his chances of being a BJP nominee have further diminished after a Delhi court on Friday rejected a plea filed by him seeking directions to Delhi Police to further investigate the allegations of sexual harassment levelled against him by women wrestlers.
The court said it will pronounce an order on the framing of charges on May 7 — the last date of filing of nominations is May 3.
There are speculations that Namgyal was dropped in favour of Gyalson to calm the tension in Ladakh over demands for statehood and inclusion in Sixth Schedule.