Former Maharashtra minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique was shot dead on Saturday night outside his son Zeeshan Siddique’s office in Bandra East, just 15 days after receiving a death threat.
The assassination has sparked widespread outrage, with opposition leaders demanding accountability from Maharashtra’s government. Questions have been raised about the state’s ability to ensure safety, especially after Siddique’s heightened security failed to prevent the attack.
Baba Siddique, a three-time MLA who recently joined Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction, was targeted in a busy area near Colgate ground in Nirmal Nagar. Two of the three attackers have been arrested, while the third remains at large. The attackers reportedly hailed from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, according to Mumbai Police.
Opposition leaders, including Congress’ KC Venugopal and Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, criticized the crumbling law and order in Maharashtra, with Venugopal calling the incident “a serious indictment” of the state’s security apparatus.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis expressed their shock and vowed strict action. Ajit Pawar mourned the loss of his colleague, describing Siddique as a leader who championed the cause of the minority community and secularism. A thorough investigation into the attack has been promised.
The killing has not only shaken Maharashtra’s political landscape but also highlighted a glaring security lapse, prompting fresh concerns over public safety in Mumbai.
