Mumbai: Former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique was shot dead in Mumbai on Saturday. According to reports, two to three rounds were fired. Two suspects have been taken into custody by police, while the third accused is still absconding. The incident took place at around 9:15 pm in the Bandra East area of Mumbai.
Siddique was shifted to Lilavati Hospital in a critical condition. However, he succumbed to the bullet injury during the treatment. Siddique was a leader of Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis reached the Lilavati Hospital.
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Mumbai Congress On Siddique's Death:
"The Mumbai Congress is deeply saddened by the passing of Baba Siddique Ji. His tireless service to the people and his dedication to the community will forever be remembered. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time. May his soul rest in peace," Mumbai unit of the Congress said in a tweet.
The Mumbai Congress is deeply saddened by the passing of Baba Siddique Ji. His tireless service to the people and his dedication to the community will forever be remembered. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time. May his soul… pic.twitter.com/gjkZIFeLFn
— Mumbai Congress (@INCMumbai) October 12, 2024
The Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assebly, Vijay Wadettiwar, expressed grief over Baba Siddique's death. He slammed the Maharashtra government over the incident. Wadettiwar said that the state government supported the criminals. He demanded an thorough investigation into the matter.
Wadettiwar's Tweet:
राज्य शासनाची Y दर्जाची सुरक्षा असताना माजी राज्यमंत्री, माजी आमदार बाबा सिद्दिकी यांच्यावर गोळीबार करून त्यांची हत्या झाल्याची घटना अतिशय धक्कादायक आणि दुःखद आहे.बाबा सिद्दिकी यांनी राज्यमंत्री म्हणून काम केले आहे.काँग्रेस पक्षात असताना सहकारी म्हणून आम्ही पक्षासाठी सोबत काम… pic.twitter.com/QotZgao9Jq
— Vijay Wadettiwar (@VijayWadettiwar) October 12, 2024
Who was Baba Siddique?
Ziauddin Siddique, also known as Baba Siddique, joined the Congress party at a young age in 1977. Siddique served as a member of Maharashtra legislative Assembly thrice from the Bandra East constituency (1999–2004), (2004–09) and (2009–14).
He served as the Minister of State for Food & Civil Supplies, Labour and FDA from 2004 to 2008. Siddique made headlines earlier this year in February when he dramatically switched allegiance to Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) after 48 years with Congress.
Siddique's son, Zeeshan, served as a Congress MLA representing Bandra (East) in Mumbai; however, he was expelled from the party in August for alleged anti-party activities.