On October 12, 2024, senior politician Baba Siddique, former Maharashtra minister and a prominent leader of the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), was fatally shot outside his son Zeeshan Siddique’s office in Bandra, Mumbai. The gunfire, carried out by three unidentified assailants, ended in tragedy, as six bullets struck Siddique, hitting his head and chest. He was rushed to Lilavati Hospital but was declared dead on arrival.
The incident sent shockwaves through Mumbai, a city that has seen rising concerns about law and order. Maharashtra’s Chief Minister Eknath Shinde condemned the attack as a “deeply unfortunate” incident, promising that swift and decisive action would be taken to bring the perpetrators to justice. Within hours, Mumbai police apprehended two suspects from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, with a third assailant still at large.
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Rising Political Tensions
Siddique’s death is the latest in a series of violent incidents targeting political figures in Maharashtra. His murder follows the killing of another NCP leader, Sachin Kurmi, just days earlier. Both leaders were pivotal to the NCP’s political strategies, and their deaths raise questions about the underlying tensions within the party and Maharashtra’s political climate.
The incident also has broader implications, as Siddique had been at the forefront of key redevelopment projects in the Bandra constituency, a densely populated area with a significant number of slum dwellers.
His role in these projects may have put him at odds with various factions, making him a target. The area’s redevelopment efforts have long been contentious, and authorities are investigating possible links between this tension and his assassination.
Security Concerns
Reports emerged that Siddique had received death threats just two weeks prior to the shooting. These threats prompted increased police protection, yet he did not have any formal security classification at the time of the attack.
His assassination has reignited debates over the adequacy of security arrangements for political figures in Mumbai, with opposition parties demanding answers from the government.
Several leaders, including Sharad Pawar, expressed grave concerns about the state’s law and order situation, calling for the resignation of Maharashtra’s Home Minister, Devendra Fadnavis.
Political Fallout
The murder of Baba Siddique has caused significant ripples in the political landscape. His son, Zeeshan Siddique, also a prominent figure in Mumbai politics, is left grappling with both the personal and political consequences of this tragedy.
As a three-time Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Bandra West, Baba Siddique was a seasoned political figure who had switched allegiances earlier this year, leaving the Indian National Congress to join Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction.
Political reactions have been swift and strong. NCP leaders across Maharashtra have expressed shock and sorrow, with Ajit Pawar calling for an in-depth investigation. Shiv Sena’s Anand Dubey slammed the state government, accusing it of failing to protect public figures, while expressing concern for the safety of ordinary citizens if even high-profile leaders could be targeted so easily.
Ongoing Investigation
Mumbai police have launched a full-scale investigation into the assassination. In addition to the arrests already made, law enforcement agencies are conducting raids to track down the remaining suspect. Authorities have yet to publicly disclose the exact motive behind the murder, but the redevelopment controversies in Siddique’s constituency remain under scrutiny.
Speculations about the involvement of organized crime have also surfaced. The city’s underworld has a long history of being entwined with both real estate and politics, and there are concerns that such networks might be connected to the attack. The police, however, have refrained from confirming any such links at this stage, focusing instead on gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses.
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Impact on Maharashtra Politics
The killing of Baba Siddique has not only caused personal anguish for his family and followers but also disrupted the NCP’s internal dynamics. His leadership and influence, particularly in Mumbai’s minority communities, had been instrumental in shaping the party’s strategies in the lead-up to the upcoming elections. His death leaves a significant vacuum in the party’s leadership, and the political ramifications will likely be felt for months to come.
Opposition parties are already using the incident to criticize the ruling coalition’s handling of law and order. The assassination has given them ammunition to challenge the government’s credibility on ensuring public safety, particularly in the context of Mumbai’s ongoing political and real estate battles.
The death of Baba Siddique marks a tragic and violent chapter in Mumbai’s political history. As investigations continue, Maharashtra’s political landscape faces uncertainty, with Siddique’s murder likely to influence both the state’s governance and the electoral outcomes in the months ahead.
