Siddique, who was ousted from the Congress in August following allegations of cross-voting during legislative council elections, is set to contest for the Vandre (East) constituency, which he secured under the party’s banner in 2019.
Mumbai:
Zeeshan Siddique, the offspring of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddiqui, tragically assassinated on October 12, officially became a member of the Ajit Pawar-headed wing of the Nationalist Congress Party this Friday.
In the company of Mr. Pawar, the Deputy Chief Minister, he made his appearance.
Mr. Siddique, who secured the Vandre (East) seat during the 2019 elections under the Congress party, is set to uphold his position in the upcoming election. His contender, Varun Sardesai, the nephew of Uddhav Thackeray, is backed by the Shiv Sena faction, which is in alliance with the Congress and Sharad Pawar’s NCP group as part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition.
Mr. Siddique was ousted by the Congress in August due to allegations of cross-voting in a legislative council election. His switch to the NCP occurred just one day after he criticized the Maha Vikas Aghadi for allegedly abandoning him following the passing of his father, a former three-time Congress MLA who had also shifted allegiance to the NCP.
Mr. Siddique expressed his anger following the announcement by the MVA that Vandre (East) would be contested by Thackeray’s Sena as part of an agreement where his party, Sharad Pawar’s NCP, and the Congress would each contest 85 seats.
Mr. Siddique, in his initial statement upon emulating his father’s path, reiterated his disapproval of the opposition alliance for forsaking him. He expressed disappointment over the allocation of Congress’ seat in Vandre (East) to Shiv Sena (Thackeray’s camp) by the MVA, labeling it as highly regrettable.
Leaders from Congress and MVA had been communicating with me in recent days, but their intentions were deceitful. During that challenging period, Ajit Pawar, Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, and the NCP showed trust in me.
It’s a day filled with emotions for me and my family…” he expressed to NDTV upon becoming a member of the NCP.
I am honored to have received the nomination from Vandre (East). With the unwavering love and support of the community, I am confident in reclaiming victory in Bandra East. This victory holds special significance as it represents the fulfillment of my late father’s aspiration. Despite the tragic circumstances surrounding his passing while advocating for the people’s rights, his spirit of dedication and perseverance continues to inspire me.
He proclaimed that his very blood courses through my veins, vowing to take up his cause and emerge victorious with an unprecedented margin.
After the confirmation that the Thackeray Sena would be competing in the Vandre (East) elections, Mr. Siddique expressed his discontent on X with a sharp remark. He stated, “I’ve been informed that old acquaintances have put forth their contenders in Vandre East. Backing others was never their style. It’s wise to nurture connections with those who value respect.
[New Version]: On October 12, a tragic incident occurred as Baba Siddiqui, aged 66, was fatally shot outside his son’s office in Bandra. Up to this point, the authorities have apprehended fourteen individuals as they delve into various perspectives to determine the underlying motive.
Baba Siddiqui, a former Minister of Food and Civil Supplies, served as the Congress MLA for two consecutive terms in the previously undivided Vandre constituency. Following the division of the constituency in 2008, he continued as the MLA for Vandre (West). In a recent development, Siddiqui decided to leave the Congress party earlier this year and align himself with Ajit Pawar’s NCP group.
