Exclusive: Who is Ujjwal Nikam, BJP candidate replacing Poonam Mahajan in Mumbai North Central

5 months ago

Hear it from the man himself. Mumbai North Central BJP candidate Ujjwal Nikam shares how his journey has transformed from being a prominent figure in the 'court of law' to now seeking a presence in the 'court of the people' by venturing into politics with the BJP.

#UjjwalNikam #UjjwalNikamExclusive #UjjwalNikamInterview #UjjwalNikamBJP #MumbaiNorthCentral #MaharashtraPolitics #PoonamMahajan #OneindiaExclusive
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Transcript

00:00 So, One India team has come to Mumbai and as you know, this city has just voted for Lok Sabha Elections.

00:06 In total, one star has risen on the political field, which is Ujwal Nikam.

00:11 And this is a name that does not need much explanation.

00:15 Whether it is the case of the bomb blasts of 1993, or Gulshan Kumar murder, Pramod Mahajan murder case, or the Mumbai attack of 2008.

00:24 And how Ajmal Kasab was brought to his end, Ujwal Nikam's name has always been in the headlines.

00:32 Today, we are fortunate that Ujwal Nikam is sitting with us. Thank you very much for talking to One India.

00:37 Thank you.

00:38 First of all, many people want to know that it is so easy or difficult to come to the court of the people from the court of law.

00:46 No, see, this is true.

00:49 I was born in politics only a month ago.

00:52 I never thought that I would have to come to politics.

00:57 But fate says that, unknown ways are the call of destiny.

01:05 And it so happens that, 30 days ago, you were not interested, but suddenly, you got an invitation to politics.

01:15 Yes, yes.

01:17 Well, we have been in the legal field for many years, and against the accused, we will learn a little political language, how to talk politically.

01:28 I am sure, I will say it very easily, because if we talk about it legally, then it is very difficult and we have to keep things in mind.

01:37 You have worked with many governments, sir, cutting across all political lines, whether it is Vilas Rao Deshmukh, Congress to NCP, Shiv Sena and then BJP.

01:48 Bhajapur too.

01:50 Bhajapur too, absolutely, BJP, absolutely.

01:52 So, it never happened that you thought of coming to politics before this or planned it after the service was terminated by this law?

01:58 No, this thing, many political parties had told me before that you should come, but I had a very fixed determination that I would not come.

02:08 Because the people who loved me, during the time of this law, against the accused, and I had a image too,

02:18 that this is against the accused, against the accused, and the perception of the public prosecutor, I had changed it completely.

02:28 So, I think this is good, people respect it, the government, no matter who, I do not care.

02:35 Because for my appointment, people would make meetings, appointment as a special public prosecutor,

02:42 people would make meetings in every district, there were many incidents, people would demand that we need Ujjwal Vikram.

02:50 So, people had such faith, love, I also liked it, that people should accept me, so why not, I came.

03:00 Okay, okay, sir, it is said that if someone wants to become a singer, they say, do you want to become Lata Mangeshkar,

03:07 if someone wants to become an actor, they say, do you want to become Amitabh Bachchan,

03:11 lawyers often say your name, that do you want to become Ujjwal Nikam, so you have set a benchmark.

03:16 Yes, I have set a benchmark, and before this too, many political parties had invited me, but 5 years ago too, but I did not say.

03:27 Sir, it has been 10 years since the BJP government, let us see, this government, Narendra Modi's government,

03:33 was very concerned about national security and safety, the cases that you fought, especially the case of Ajmal Khan,

03:41 historical, I would say, by all standards, do you think that when the BJP approaches you,

03:48 so in their mind too, it was that Ujjwal Nikam, who has been in the legal field for so many years,

03:54 and they understand, so for them too, there is a win-win situation.

03:57 See, I do not know what was in their mind, I will not say that my selection was a win-win for them too,

04:05 but as far as I thought, BJP is a national political party, their objective and narrative is very clear,

04:14 national security, national integrity, and universalism, this is their principle,

04:22 I feel that our country is the biggest in the world, a highly democratic country,

04:29 10 years ago, no one saw India with so much strength,

04:36 >> The perception has changed, you feel?

04:38 >> The perception has changed, because even in foreign, when our Prime Minister goes,

04:44 everyone respects him, but we have kept friendship with Ukraine and Russia too,

04:51 >> Absolutely, this is a very big balance.

04:53 >> We have not done anything to America, not only that, the Qatar court had given the death sentence to our ex-8 Naval officers,

05:01 >> And to bring them back.

05:02 >> But the Prime Minister used our Rajnayana, and brought our 8 people from the king there,

05:11 because they did not have any evidence of revolution, but here the Prime Minister and our country's lawyer,

05:17 so I feel that the security of the country, the message of the citizens of the country,

05:25 and a developed India, that India has to be developed, made in India,

05:32 with such determination, I was very happy with the BJP manifesto.

05:38 >> You are happy, and that is why you have decided to elect BJP.

05:43 Sir, we are sitting here in Mumbai, the capital of Maharashtra, also known as the business capital of the country,

05:50 do you feel that the vision that we get to see in Mumbai, Delhi,

05:55 is it that the BJP government, which is in the villages of India,

06:00 which is fighting the elections, is doing the same?

06:05 >> Absolutely, I feel so, I am not a resident of Mumbai, I am 450 km from Jalgaon,

06:12 >> Jalgaon, okay.

06:13 >> And my village is a small village, so as far as I am concerned, for the election, I will go to the whole of Mumbai,

06:22 and I will see two forms of Mumbai, one is very rich Mumbai, and the other is very poor Mumbai.

06:29 >> The gap is very big.

06:30 >> The gap is very big, I had never thought that the Huttman area of Mumbai would be so poor,

06:37 that they live in such a state, so I am sad that our small villages are not so sad,

06:44 as far as the area of Bombay is concerned.

06:47 So I think that the BJP party is definitely thinking about it, and how our developing country is doing it,

06:54 what medical facilities should be provided for the common man.

06:57 So I think that the BJP has set a good narrative.

07:02 >> Jalgaon Cha Mulga, if my Marathi is correct, if I am speaking correctly,

07:08 do you think that now, the youth need to leave the villages and come to the cities,

07:14 or is it reaching the same level of convenience for them as it is for the urban youth?

07:21 >> See, if the farmers leave the fields and come to the cities, then how will they eat?

07:30 Then we will have to import.

07:33 But it is the responsibility of the government that the people who live in the villages,

07:39 they should also get all the facilities like the cities.

07:43 I think this should happen.

07:46 >> Maybe this is the biggest achievement.

07:48 Today the BJP is doing it.

07:51 They are also bringing some good schemes for the farmers.

07:55 So that the farmers also get a good view of the situation from a different dimension.

08:01 >> Absolutely.

08:02 We just read a report where we were told that Maharashtra is the only state

08:08 where all the villages have electricity.

08:12 This is a benchmark of 100% electrification.

08:16 >> Mr. Nikam, see, it is election time.

08:19 Many times, many things are said that the past also comes to haunt.

08:25 In the opposition, along with the candidacy in your election,

08:28 some things were raised.

08:30 Some things were said about Hemant Karkare's martyrdom.

08:34 How right do you think, if I say from a legal angle,

08:36 how risky and how justified was this?

08:39 >> I can never even think that after the candidature was declared in my politics,

08:45 the opposition has raised allegations.

08:50 It is possible to raise allegations in politics.

08:55 But you have not seen that the allegations that you are raising,

09:01 what will Pakistan do about it?

09:04 What will our enemy do?

09:06 >> We are walking into the trap, if I say so.

09:08 >> Absolutely.

09:09 I am worried about that.

09:11 And that is why I did not take it seriously so much earlier.

09:16 The day this allegation was raised,

09:18 that Ujwal Nikam hid something about Karkare,

09:22 that Ujwal Nikam is a traitor,

09:24 he was even called an oppositionist.

09:26 Then later, a retired police officer,

09:29 his book was written.

09:31 >> It was in the book.

09:32 >> You did not even do the homework.

09:34 Is it true in the book or is it false?

09:37 It is not read.

09:38 It means you are a copy brave.

09:41 You can do anything without reading.

09:43 >> You can ask anything.

09:44 >> Okay.

09:45 About which Ajmal Kasab himself has made a statement.

09:48 >> Yes.

09:49 >> About which we have examined two eyewitness accounts.

09:52 And Pakistan has also accepted that.

09:55 >> That his is true.

09:57 >> Pakistan's judicial commission has visited Mumbai twice.

10:01 >> Yes.

10:02 >> But you did not question them.

10:04 >> Absolutely.

10:06 >> I am saying that by putting false allegations,

10:10 you have dishonoured the country and the police officers who gave us their honours.

10:18 >> Absolutely.

10:19 The more I criticize, the less I will say.

10:22 I might be sticking my neck out, but that's the case.

10:26 Let's come to Mumbai's politics, Maharashtra's politics.

10:29 Two political parties, NCP and Shiv Sena.

10:33 They were divided into two groups for whatever reason.

10:36 The opposition says that Bhajap did this using his power and influence.

10:42 And because of this, the voter turnout is also decreasing.

10:46 There is a little confusion among people.

10:48 There is a little uncertainty.

10:49 Do you think this factor is affecting Maharashtra?

10:52 >> No, absolutely not.

10:53 >> Okay.

10:54 >> See, there were two groups in NCP.

10:58 >> Okay.

10:59 >> There were two groups in Shiv Sena as well.

11:01 There were two groups already.

11:03 There was a difference of opinion.

11:05 Now, in politics, politics is being counted as a fair game.

11:11 If these two groups are running, if one group comes to Bhajap,

11:17 then we don't need to be sad about it.

11:20 We will welcome them.

11:22 >> When the government changes, people who were given votes,

11:25 do you think the electorate, the voters,

11:28 will be deceived by them that we brought this in the government?

11:31 >> This is definitely the case.

11:32 >> Okay.

11:33 >> We should make some changes.

11:35 >> Okay.

11:36 >> The tensions brought by the disqualification,

11:39 membership of the assembly and all that.

11:43 I think we need to make some changes to this.

11:47 We definitely need to make some changes.

11:50 Because the party you come from,

11:52 the party whose name symbol is used,

11:55 if you betray this party,

11:58 I think, the voters think that we have lost our faith.

12:04 >> Yes.

12:05 >> Will there be a debate about this?

12:08 >> When legal eagles like you come,

12:11 people will definitely have hope.

12:13 I will tell you.

12:14 One question, sir, again, if I bring you to the topic of opposition,

12:18 I know that a lot of talks are being raised about the electoral bond.

12:23 That the election commission is not releasing the data of the number of voters

12:29 in a particular constituency.

12:31 The Supreme Court has asked for an answer.

12:34 With all this, BJP seems to be in a dilemma.

12:38 Do you think the government should defend this?

12:41 Or is there a legal solution for this?

12:43 >> This issue was also raised in the Supreme Court.

12:46 The Supreme Court said that it is not necessary for the election commission

12:50 to give the immediate data of the number of votes.

12:54 >> You cannot give the immediate data.

12:56 >> Yes, the Supreme Court said that hands off.

12:59 >> Yes, absolutely.

13:01 >> Now, all political parties have talked about electoral bonds.

13:05 I think, which party has started the war?

13:10 >> Look, here, the point is that,

13:13 whether it is the number of votes or the amount,

13:16 the opposition is simply saying that you used to take money from them

13:21 by giving the pressure of CBI and ED.

13:24 This is being raised again and again.

13:27 Misuse of offices, central offices.

13:30 You have been dealing with them for a long time.

13:33 Is it possible legally?

13:35 Or does every government do this?

13:37 >> I think it is not possible.

13:39 Because even today our judiciary is independent.

13:42 Even today our judiciary is impartial.

13:45 If someone puts pressure on it,

13:48 then anyone can file a petition in the Supreme Court.

13:51 And he can prove it on the basis of the certain evidence.

13:55 No one has done it till date.

13:57 But if you say the wrong thing a hundred times,

14:00 that is the propaganda of the government,

14:02 then people do not find it true.

14:04 So, this opposition, this opposition of the opposition,

14:07 I think there is no force in it.

14:10 >> Sir, I have a question on the strictness and softness of the government.

14:15 I would like to know from you.

14:17 The 2008 incident, no matter how much it is criticized,

14:20 it was a dastardly attack on India.

14:22 If the BJP government was in power at that time,

14:25 if such an incident had happened,

14:27 do you think that the response of India could have been something else

14:30 instead of the UPS government being a mess?

14:33 Or whatever happened was right?

14:35 >> You asked the right question.

14:38 >> I am an independent, a student of law.

14:42 >> Right.

14:43 >> If any government was in power at that time,

14:46 then the war would not have happened.

14:48 >> Okay, if we talk about 2008.

14:51 >> Any government.

14:52 >> Okay.

14:53 >> Now, after the attack of Pulwama,

14:55 >> Yes, in 2014.

14:56 >> In 2014, we did the surgical strike.

14:59 >> Yes, absolutely.

15:00 >> We did it by entering Pakistan.

15:02 >> Absolutely.

15:03 >> But we did not select a specific spot for it.

15:08 >> Yes.

15:09 >> And as far as I am concerned, I do not know,

15:12 we had already made it known to the world

15:17 that we would not talk to the terrorists,

15:20 nor would we let them do it,

15:22 we would kill them.

15:23 So we selected a specific target.

15:27 >> Yes.

15:28 >> That is why Pakistan never said that we were attacked.

15:31 >> Yes.

15:32 >> Neither America, nor Russia, nor China said anything.

15:35 >> Yes.

15:36 >> This is our great advantage,

15:38 our diplomatic policy is that.

15:40 >> Yes.

15:41 >> If you had attacked directly in 2008,

15:45 then I would have thought that it was an aggressive action.

15:49 >> From India, it is a big country.

15:51 >> Yes, it is an aggressive action from India.

15:53 Because at that time, there was no proof.

15:56 >> That who was behind it.

15:57 >> Who was behind it.

15:58 Because in our country, it was going on that

16:00 whether he was a gangster or not.

16:02 >> Yes.

16:03 >> We got the proof later.

16:05 >> Yes, yes.

16:06 >> And the time it took, it was difficult.

16:09 >> Yes, yes.

16:10 It was a critical time to take this decision.

16:13 Let us agree to this.

16:14 Do you think that the Mumbai attack case that you handled,

16:19 that would have been a big reason for Bhajab to come to you and say that...

16:24 >> See, why did Bhajab give me...

16:27 >> You have said something about it.

16:30 >> I know something.

16:31 But as far as I think, I think that the work I have done so far,

16:37 the whole of Maharashtra knows it, the whole country knows it.

16:41 And I have taken only one side,

16:44 that is always fighting against the culprit.

16:47 >> Yes.

16:48 >> Till date, in my record,

16:50 since I have been a lawyer for 40-50 years,

16:53 I have never fought on the side of the accused.

16:56 >> Okay.

16:57 >> I never defended any criminal.

16:59 I only prosecuted criminals.

17:01 >> Criminals only.

17:02 >> Secondly, I am not in government employment.

17:05 >> Okay, okay.

17:06 >> My special assignment contract was on this.

17:08 >> Yes, yes. Special public prosecutor.

17:10 >> Public prosecutor.

17:11 >> Absolutely.

17:12 >> Thirdly, whoever the government is,

17:14 it did not make any difference to me.

17:16 During Sanjay Dutt's time,

17:18 there was Congress above and below.

17:20 >> Absolutely. Yes, yes, speak.

17:21 >> From the beginning.

17:22 >> There were also some people from the other side.

17:24 >> Yes, yes.

17:25 >> So, it did not make any difference to me.

17:27 Because I knew.

17:28 >> Yes.

17:29 >> Yes, this is for sure.

17:30 I never told this to Raj.

17:32 >> Yes.

17:33 >> That did anyone put any pressure,

17:35 put this, put that, I did not tell.

17:37 >> Okay.

17:38 >> Because I did not want to create

17:40 unnecessary sympathy for me.

17:42 >> Okay.

17:43 >> And every person has an ego, an order.

17:45 >> Yes, yes.

17:46 >> So, I do not want to reach that.

17:48 If I say this thing in front of you,

17:51 then you will have news of one day.

17:55 >> Absolutely.

17:56 >> One day breaking news will go.

17:58 >> Then it will be back.

18:00 You have to do your work.

18:02 >> That is why I said,

18:03 when this was released on February 2, 2000,

18:07 when a Congress member said to the politician,

18:10 I have worked in your government too,

18:14 I have a lot of explosive material,

18:17 but I will not open it.

18:19 Because I want to think about the security of the country

18:22 and the integrity of our country.

18:25 >> Wow.

18:26 It is a very good interpretation from you

18:28 that there are friends in politics too,

18:30 not all are enemies.

18:31 And there is always a decorum, an ethic that is.

18:35 >> Laxman Rekha does not cross.

18:37 >> Laxman Rekha does not.

18:38 >> I know this thing.

18:40 >> Very good.

18:41 Mr. Nikam, very soon there is a rapid fire round.

18:44 You must have seen it often.

18:46 Let's know from you.

18:47 If I have to ask you,

18:49 what is your current status?

18:51 Lawyer or a politician?

18:52 >> With you, I am a simple gentleman.

18:57 Not a political.

18:58 I said something that a politician should not have said.

19:01 >> Absolutely.

19:02 >> Still I said.

19:03 >> Okay.

19:05 How do you consume news?

19:08 How do you watch news on the newspaper, print, mobile phone?

19:11 >> I watch more news on newspapers and TV.

19:15 >> I watch less on social media.

19:18 >> Digital news channels like us,

19:21 One India,

19:22 it takes a little more effort for them

19:24 so that Mr. Nikam's eyes fall on it.

19:26 You have handled many cases.

19:28 If I say the most difficult,

19:30 although its benchmarks can be different,

19:32 which case did you find the most difficult?

19:34 >> I have run many serious cases.

19:37 I ran against terrorism,

19:39 I ran against terrorism,

19:40 I ran against terrorism,

19:45 gang rape,

19:47 and many more.

19:49 I ran a trial in Kolhapur,

19:52 3 women killed 4-year-old children.

19:58 In all, 12 small children were kidnapped and killed.

20:02 They used to steal and use those boys as a shield,

20:07 if they were not red handed.

20:09 When this decision was made,

20:12 the women were sentenced to death,

20:14 the Kolhapur session court announced.

20:16 In front of the court,

20:18 8-10 year old children,

20:21 200-250 were gathered to hear the verdict.

20:25 As the women were sentenced to death,

20:28 the children distributed sugar to me.

20:32 This was the biggest important case in my heart.

20:35 Even small innocent children were happy

20:38 that the demoness was punished by the Ujjwad Nikam.

20:43 That was a very important day for me.

20:48 >> I was also amazed after hearing this.

20:53 Sir, what would you have been if you were not a lawyer?

20:56 >> If I was not a lawyer, I would have been a doctor.

20:59 >> Okay.

21:00 >> Because my father was a lawyer.

21:01 >> Your father was a lawyer?

21:02 >> Yes, it was his wish.

21:04 >> Okay.

21:05 And your mother's wish was to become a doctor?

21:07 >> Yes, because in that time,

21:10 in 1976,

21:12 in 1973,

21:14 I passed out B.Sc. in 1973,

21:16 first class,

21:17 in 1976.

21:19 So,

21:20 I studied science,

21:22 I took 2% medical.

21:24 And I didn't want to become a lawyer

21:26 because at that time,

21:27 in our time,

21:28 the price of lawyers was very low in the marriage market.

21:31 >> It was low.

21:32 >> So, I didn't become a lawyer.

21:34 Now the price is high.

21:35 >> And because of you?

21:36 >> No, because of me.

21:37 >> Many people still say that the price of lawyers is low in the marriage market.

21:42 If someone wants to become Ujwal Nikam,

21:44 the prospective lawyers,

21:45 the young lawyers who are watching us,

21:47 they want to hear from you,

21:48 what are the qualities that they should have?

21:51 Irrespective of the big case that they handle.

21:53 >> First, confidence, self-confidence.

21:56 >> Okay.

21:57 >> And second, honesty.

21:59 This is very important.

22:01 >> Yes.

22:02 >> We should be honest with ourselves.

22:05 If you are honest with yourself,

22:09 it means that if we make a mistake,

22:13 then we should feel that yes, I made a mistake.

22:17 Many people make mistakes,

22:19 but they don't know that they made a mistake.

22:21 They try to defend the mistake.

22:23 Mistakes are always to be rectified,

22:26 not to be ratified.

22:28 >> Okay.

22:29 >> So, this is very important.

22:30 >> Rectify it.

22:31 >> Yes.

22:32 >> Many people make mistakes,

22:35 they know it in their mind,

22:36 but they don't accept it.

22:38 >> Yes.

22:39 >> I accept that yes, I made a mistake.

22:42 >> This is the distinguishing factor, sir,

22:43 which you said is the humane side,

22:45 especially in the profession of lawyers,

22:47 you said this right.

22:48 And that's why I said that

22:50 journalists are also seen in the same way.

22:52 But yes, self-checking is very important.

22:55 Last question, sir.

22:56 Politics is now 400 times possible.

23:01 If I say it to politics now,

23:04 then it will definitely be 500 times possible.

23:07 >> Okay.

23:08 >> If I say it in the position of a lawyer,

23:10 then it is difficult to say today.

23:12 >> It is difficult to say today.

23:13 Both answers are correct.

23:15 Ujwal Nikam sir,

23:17 thank you very much for giving your time

23:19 to talk to One India.

23:20 We wish you, your team, and your party

23:22 all the best for the upcoming elections.

23:24 >> Thank you very much.

23:25 >> Thank you, sir.

23:26 So, there you heard him,

23:27 Ujwal Nikam, the humane face of a lawyer.

23:30 As they say,

23:31 if you are in a relationship with a lawyer,

23:33 then you need to be afraid.

23:35 But here,

23:36 sitting with Ujwal Nikam,

23:37 I didn't feel that at all.

23:38 Somehow, he has set that benchmark so high

23:41 that many, many aspiring lawyers

23:43 would want to be like him.

23:44 Thanks for watching.

23:45 Thanks for watching.

Exclusive: Who is Ujjwal Nikam, BJP candidate replacing Poonam Mahajan in Mumbai North Central

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