Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddiqui was shot dead by three persons in Mumbai’s Bandra area on Saturday. After the attack, the police arrested two attackers, while the search for K is still ongoing. After the incident, the opposition raised questions about the security situation in the state. Assembly elections are coming up in Maharashtra.
Former MP Siddiqui (66) was shot and was taken to Lilavati Hospital, but died. Police said he was attacked outside his office near Colgate Stadium in Nirmal Nagar East, Bandra. Baba Siddiqui contested the assembly elections from Bandra (West) seat three times. Siddiqui was close to many Bollywood stars.
I am deeply shocked: Ajit Pawar
Deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar issued a condolence message on social media platform X, calling the attack extremely unfortunate and reprehensible. “I was shocked when I came to know that he died in this incident,” Pawar said. He said he had lost a good friend and colleague. “We have lost a leader who fought for minorities and advocated secularism,” Pawar said, adding that the attack would be thoroughly investigated.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said two accused have been arrested. The chief minister told TV channels that one of them was from Uttar Pradesh and another from Haryana, while the third accused fled the scene. Sometime after the incident, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis arrived at Lilavati Hospital. Siddiqui joined the NCP led by Ajit Pawar this year.
Ruling party should take responsibility: Sharad Pawar
NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar said the deteriorating law and order situation was worrying. Targeting Home Minister Fadnavis, Pawar said it was also worrying that the situation was being handled so lightly. In X’s post, Pawar said the ruling party should take responsibility and resign.
Maharashtra Assembly Legislature Party leader Balasaheb Thorat said the shooting of a ruling party leader who was granted Y-category security level raised serious questions about the law and order situation.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray said the murder was shocking. Thackeray said: “Sadly, this reflects the law and order situation in Maharashtra. There has been a complete breakdown of administration and law and order.
I have nothing to say: Praful Patel
Praful Patel, Siddiqui’s close friend and NCP working president, said he had nothing to say. BJP leader and former Congress MP Ashok Chavan said he had worked with Siddiqui when they were in the old party. He said the news was shocking. Maharashtra party chief and Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala posted on Twitter that he was shocked by the death of “my dear friend from Youth Congress days”.
