Mumbai North-Central Lok Sabha seat: BJP preferred ex-ATS chief over Poonam Mahajan in 2014

Mumbai North-Central Lok Sabha seat: BJP preferred ex-ATS chief over Poonam Mahajan in 2014

The BJP's decision to replace Poonam Mahajan with lawyer Ujjawal Nikam as its candidate for the North-Central Mumbai Lok Sabha seat has stirred some unrest within the party ranks. Mahajan's absence during Nikam's formal induction into the party, coupled with her subdued reaction later, hints at a sense of discontent. However, she eventually took to X platform to express her gratitude towards PM Modi and her constituents.

The Mumbai North-Central Lok Sabha is one of the high profile seats in India. Late actor Sunil Dutt represented a part of this seat before the delimitation redrew Mumbai’s political map. His daughter Priya Dutt was elected in 2009 by defeating BJP’s Mahesh Jethmalani, a prominent lawyer. However, she was defeated by Poonam Mahajan in 2014 and 2019 with a margin of over one lakh votes.

Mahajan was not the initial choice of BJP for the constituency back in 2014. At that time, the party had considered nominating a distinguished IPS officer, Krishipal Raghuvanshi, known for his exemplary service in the Maharashtra Police. Raghuvanshi's illustrious career included leading successful anti-Naxal operations. He established an anti-Naxal commando force named C-60 which comprised of local tribal youths from families which were victimised by the Maoists. In 2004, he founded the Maharashtra Anti-Terror Squad (ATS) which detected the serial train bombings of July 2006 and successfully averted two terror strikes. Considering his reputation as a tough cop who delivered results, BJP offered Raghuvanshi to contest from the Mumbai North-Central constituency.

When offered the candidacy by BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, Raghuvanshi hesitated citing financial constraints and impending retirement. Despite assurances from Fadnavis regarding party support, Raghuvanshi's prolonged contemplation led the party to explore other options. Meanwhile, the BJP leadership felt a need to balance the representation by fielding a Marathi candidate, considering the demographics of Mumbai. There are six Lok Sabha seats in Mumbai and as per the seat sharing arrangements with the Shiv Sena (Undivided), three seats came in the BJP’s bag. Out of its three seats BJP had fielded non-Marathis on two. In the North Mumbai seat, the BJP had given candidacy to Gopal Shetty, a south Indian and to Kirit Somaiya, a Gujarati, on the Mumbai North-East Seat. Ultimately, the party chose to nominate Mahajan, a familiar Marathi face, over Raghuvanshi. Mahajan, although initially unsuccessful in Vidhan Sabha elections, went on to secure victories in the Lok Sabha elections, defeating Priya Dutt of Congress twice.

Raghuvanshi, after retiring from the police force, has ventured into consultancy roles with organisations like Hindustan Petroleum and the Rajasthan Royals cricket team.

His exemplary service and the intriguing dynamics of Mumbai's political landscape underscore the complexities involved in candidate selection and electoral strategies.

Poonam Mahajan's future within the BJP remains uncertain at this juncture. There's speculation that she could be appointed to a prominent role within the organisation, either at the central or state level. Alternatively, she may be considered as a candidate once more for the upcoming Vidhan Sabha elections scheduled for this October.

(J.Kumar is a journalist and an author based in Mumbai.)