Offended and upset by the 2008 Malegaon blast accused and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP’s) Bhopal candidate, Pragya Thakur’s statement on 26/11 martyr Hemant Karkare, a retired assistant commissioner of police (ACP) and Karkare’s former colleague from Maharashtra, Riyaz Deshmukh has decided to contest election against Pragya Thakur.

Deshmukh, a resident of Aurangabad (Maharashtra) filed his nomination from Bhopal parliamentary constituency seat as an independent candidate on Wednesday.

He has filed papers as an independent candidate and might get ‘whistle’ as his poll symbol. His affidavit says he is a “freelancer and blogger” with an annual income of ₹5.6 lakh in the 2016-17 fiscal.

“After Sadhvi filed her nomination from Bhopal, I made up my mind to contest against her because I cannot see anyone maligning the image of one of the finest and most upright officers in Maharashtra.” said Deshmukh over phone a day after filing nomination.

Deshmukh, who started his career under Karkare and was once the officer’s deputy, said Karkare guided him in all professional matters and always stood by him. “I want to avenge the insult to Hemant Karkare and will start my campaign from April 29 in Bhopal,” the 60-year-old said over phone.