In a shocking and tragic incident, Baba Siddique, a senior leader of the Ajit Pawar faction's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), was shot and killed by unidentified individuals in Bandra, Mumbai, on October 12. This brutal attack has sent shockwaves through political circles, especially with Maharashtra Assembly elections just around the corner.

The firing occurred near Colgate Ground in Nirmal Nagar, outside the office of Baba Siddique's son, Zeeshan Siddique, an MLA. According to a report by the news agency PTI, citing an official source, "Two to three rounds were fired. Further probe is underway as teams have rushed to the area," the official confirmed. Baba Siddique was immediately rushed to Lilavati Hospital for treatment, where the hospital later confirmed the heartbreaking news of his passing.

This assassination, occurring at such a politically charged moment, has raised many concerns about the security of leaders and public figures in Maharashtra. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde addressed the media, expressing his concern over the incident. CM Shinde also confirmed that two of the suspected shooters have already been detained by Mumbai police, and investigations are ongoing.

According to Shinde, the police managed to detain two suspects, one from Uttar Pradesh and the other from Haryana. However, a third suspect is still at large, with a manhunt underway. The Chief Minister, during his media statement, emphasized, "This is an extremely unfortunate incident and I spoke to the doctors and police. Two people have been arrested, the accused are from UP and Haryana. The third accused is absconding."

He also promised swift and decisive action, stating, "We have given instructions to Mumbai Police that strict action should be taken against those who take law and order into their hands...I am sure that Mumbai police will soon arrest the third accused...Strict action will be taken against the accused."

The news of Baba Siddique's death has left many of his colleagues and supporters in deep sorrow. Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar, was among the first to express his grief. In a heartfelt post on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), Pawar conveyed his deep sadness over the loss of his colleague. He stated, "The incident of firing on NCP leader, former Minister of State, my colleague Baba Siddiqui who has been in the Legislature for a long time is very unfortunate, condemnable and painful. I was shocked to know that he died in this incident. I have lost my good colleague, and friend."

Pawar’s emotional statement reflects the gravity of the loss felt within political circles. He further added, "I strongly condemn this cowardly attack. I offer my heartfelt tributes to Baba Siddiqui."

BJP leader Kirit Somaiya has raised concerns that Baba Siddique's murder could be part of a larger conspiracy. In his statement, he expressed his deep worry about the nature of the incident, urging for a thorough investigation. "Baba Siddique's murder is a matter of concern. The government should make a special team and investigate this. It seems to be a huge conspiracy. Strict action should be taken," Somaiya stressed, calling for immediate action from authorities.

As condolences poured in, the Mumbai Congress also shared its sorrow on social media, paying tribute to Baba Siddique’s life and service. In a heartfelt post on X, the Congress party expressed their grief: "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."

Baba Siddique had recently joined the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) after a long career with the Congress, making the switch in February. His political journey has been marked by notable achievements, including serving as the Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) for three consecutive terms. Siddique was elected in 1999, 2004, and 2009, solidifying his position as a respected leader. In addition to his legislative duties, he held important positions in the Maharashtra government, having served as the Minister of State for Food & Civil Supplies, Labour, and FDA between 2004 and 2008.

Siddique's personal life was equally cherished. He was married to Shehzeen Siddique, and together, they had two children—Dr. Arshia Siddique and Zeeshan Siddique, the latter following in his father's footsteps as a politician and current MLA. The family's grief, now compounded by such a tragic loss, has been felt deeply across the state, with political leaders, friends, and supporters sharing their condolences.

Who Was Baba Siddique?

Baba Siddique was a seasoned and well-known figure in Indian politics, widely recognized not only for his political acumen but also for his connections with Bollywood celebrities. His name became synonymous with power and influence, particularly through his high-profile iftar parties, where prominent figures from both politics and Bollywood mingled. This seamless blending of the political and entertainment worlds highlighted his charismatic personality and ability to network effectively.

Born Ziauddin Siddique, he came from a family with roots in Bihar. His father, Abdul Rahim, was a businessman, which provided the foundation for Siddique’s early life. Siddique’s entry into politics came at a young age when he joined the National Students' Union of India (NSUI), the student wing of the Indian National Congress, marking the beginning of what would become a long and impactful career.

In 1977, his political career gained momentum when he became actively involved with the NSUI. His drive and enthusiasm quickly earned him recognition, and by 1980, he had risen to the role of general secretary of the Bandra Taluka Youth Congress. His leadership potential was evident early on, and just two years later, in 1982, he was elected as the president of the Youth Congress in Bandra, further solidifying his standing within the party.

Siddique’s political ascent continued throughout the 1980s. In 1988, he was appointed as the president of the Mumbai Youth Congress, a prestigious position within the party, demonstrating his increasing influence. His political trajectory reached another significant milestone in 1992 when he was elected as a councillor in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), further expanding his role in Mumbai's local governance.

A crucial relationship in Siddique’s political career was with Sunil Dutt, a prominent Congress MP representing Mumbai North West. This close association proved instrumental in Siddique’s career development, helping him secure an MLA ticket from Bandra West in 1999. Siddique went on to win this seat, marking the start of his three consecutive terms as an MLA. His success in this position highlighted the strength of his political influence, especially in his home constituency.

From 2004 to 2008, Siddique’s political journey reached new heights when he served as the Maharashtra Minister of State for Food & Civil Supplies, Labour, FDA, and Consumer Protection under the Congress-NCP government. In these roles, Siddique played an essential part in addressing key issues affecting the state, earning him further recognition and respect as a dedicated public servant.

Baba Siddique, known as the Congress party’s Muslim face, suffered a major political setback in 2014 when he lost the assembly elections to the BJP’s Ashish Shelar. This defeat marked a turning point in his political journey. Since then, Siddique had been working diligently to rebuild his political career. While he chose not to run for elections himself, he focused on positioning his son Zeeshan Siddique in the political arena. In the 2019 Assembly elections, Zeeshan successfully contested the Bandra East seat, which had long been considered a stronghold of the Shiv Sena. Despite the odds, Zeeshan managed to win the seat by a narrow margin of 5,000 votes, a significant victory in a highly competitive election.

However, Baba Siddique’s relationship with the Congress became strained after the party decided to form an alliance with the Shiv Sena to establish the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government. Siddique, who had long been loyal to the Congress, found this decision difficult to accept. He began actively exploring other political opportunities, both for himself and his son’s future. It was rumored that at one point, Siddique even considered shifting his political base to Bihar, where his family had roots.

According to Congress insiders, Siddique also sought a Rajya Sabha seat through an alliance with RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. However, this attempt was unsuccessful, leaving Siddique in search of other ways to revive his political influence. His opportunity finally came with the political splits in the Shiv Sena and the NCP, which reshaped the political landscape in Maharashtra.

In a bold move, Baba Siddique resigned from his 48-year-long membership in the Congress party in February of this year. He chose to align himself with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), specifically the faction led by Ajit Pawar. This marked a significant shift in Siddique’s political affiliations and was seen as an attempt to reinvent himself in Maharashtra’s evolving political environment.

Reflecting on his departure from the Congress, Siddique openly expressed his dissatisfaction, saying, “My condition in the Congress was like how curry leaves are used to enhance the taste of food. I was treated like that in the Congress Party.”

Baba Siddique’s son, Zeeshan Siddique, followed in his father’s political footsteps, serving as a Congress MLA from Mumbai’s Bandra (East) assembly constituency. However, in August, Zeeshan faced expulsion from the Congress party due to alleged anti-party activities. This marked a turbulent period for the Siddique family’s political standing, as Baba himself had already parted ways with the Congress earlier in the year.

Outside of politics, Baba Siddique was widely recognized for his grand iftar parties, which became annual social events drawing Bollywood’s elite. Siddique, also known as Bandra Boy, was known for his grand Iftar parties which were attended by top Bollywood stars like Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan. His most famous iftar gathering occurred in 2013, where Bollywood superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan were seen under the same roof after a long-standing feud that had kept them apart for years. Siddique was also credited for ending the high-profile rift between Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan.

The feud between the two stars reportedly began in 2008, after a heated argument at a private event. For years, they avoided being seen together in public. However, Siddique’s 2013 iftar party became the venue where the two finally reconciled, with both actors sharing a hug and putting an end to their five-year-long conflict. In 2013, the feud came to an end at Siddique’s Iftar Party... Both the Khans came under the same roof after a long time and hugged each other and ended their half-a-decade-long beef.

Despite not being directly connected to the film industry, Baba Siddique’s ability to mediate between two of Bollywood’s biggest stars earned him considerable recognition in the entertainment world. His knack for bringing people together, both in politics and beyond, left a lasting mark on those who knew him.