Baba Siddique shot dead

Mumbai | Desk: Senior Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique has tragically passed away after being shot multiple times by unidentified assailants on Saturday, according to Mumbai police.

The attack took place near the office of his son, Zeeshan Siddiqui, in Bandra East. Siddique sustained several gunshot wounds and was quickly transported to Lilavati Hospital, where he arrived in critical condition, having suffered injuries to both his chest and abdomen.

Authorities report that three assailants were involved in the attack, and investigations are underway to determine the motive and apprehend those responsible. So far, two suspects have been arrested; one is from Uttar Pradesh, while the other hails from Haryana. A third suspect remains at large.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has instructed the police to ensure that no one in Mumbai takes the law into their own hands and that the underworld does not regain its influence. “We will not tolerate such incidents,” Shinde emphasized.

Baba Siddique was a prominent figure in Mumbai politics, having served as a two-time BMC corporator and winning the Bandra West assembly constituency in 1999 on a Congress ticket. He successfully retained his seat in the 2004 and 2009 elections but lost to BJP’s Ashish Shelar in 2014 and did not contest in the 2019 assembly elections. Earlier this year, he joined the NCP after serving as Minister of State for Food and Civil Supplies in the Congress-NCP government from 2004 to 2008.

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar condemned the attack and promised a thorough investigation to uncover the mastermind behind the incident. On social media, NCP chief Sharad Pawar expressed his sorrow, stating, “The shooting of our colleague, Baba Siddique, is both tragic and condemnable. His contributions to our party and community will be sorely missed.”

Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey raised serious concerns about the safety of former MLAs, calling for the resignation of Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. “If former MLAs are not safe in Mumbai, how can the government protect ordinary citizens?” Dubey questioned, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.

Sharad Pawar echoed these sentiments, urging the Mahayuti government to take responsibility for the deteriorating law and order situation. “The shooting of former state minister Baba Siddique in Mumbai is deeply regrettable. There must be accountability, and the government should resign.”

In response to the incident, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya characterized the murder as a “huge conspiracy” and called for the formation of a special investigative team to probe the matter. “This is a serious concern that requires immediate and stringent action,” Somaiya stated.

The tragic death of Baba Siddique is not only a loss for the NCP but also for the broader community. He was known for his commitment to minority rights and inter-religious harmony, and his passing marks a significant void in Maharashtra’s political landscape.