Mumbai: The BJP has picked up lawyer Ujjwal Nikam, who was the public prosecutor during the Mumbai 26/11 terror attacks, as its candidate for the Mumbai North Central Lok Sabha constituency, media reports said.

Nikam will replace Poonam Mahajan, the current MP, as the party's candidate.

Nikam, who also handled the prosecution in the murder case of Pramod Mahajan, Poonam Mahajan's father, is known for his role in high-profile cases.

Poonam Mahajan, who represented the constituency in 2014 and 2019, is a former president of the BJP's youth wing.

"For years, you saw me fighting against the accused in court. But today, BJP has given me the responsibility for which I am thankful to PM Modi, BJP chief JP Nadda, Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekar Bawankule, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar," Nikam told reporters, according to a report NDTV.

"I know that politics is not for me but through you, I would like to tell everyone that the country's Constitution, laws and security would be my priorities... The constituency from where I have been told to contest is a very important constituency of Mumbai.

"This has been represented by late Manohar Joshi, Ramdas Athawale, and Poonam Mahajan. These people have always raised questions in parliament," he added.

The Congress has nominated Varsha Gaikwad, the city unit chief and Dharavi MLA, as its candidate for Mumbai North Central.

The voting in Mumbai is set for May 20 during the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha elections. Additionally, the BJP has announced eight more candidates for the Odisha assembly polls, which will take place concurrently with the general elections.