Zeeshan Siddique, the 32-year-old former Congress MLA from Vandre (East), has joined the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the Nationalist Congress Party ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections. The move comes in the wake of his father Baba Siddique’s tragic murder earlier this month and his expulsion from the Congress party in August for cross-voting in a legislative council election.
Baba Siddique’s son, Zeeshan Siddique joins NCP
Siddique, who will defend his Vandre (East) seat under his new party banner, faces a significant challenge from Varun Sardesai, nephew of former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.
Sardesai represents the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, which comprises the Thackeray-led Shiv Sena faction, Congress, and Sharad Pawar’s NCP.
Here’s what Zeeshan Siddique said:
During his induction ceremony, an emotional Siddique criticized the MVA for their alleged lack of support following his father’s murder.
“This is an emotional day for me and my family. I am thankful to Ajit Pawar, Praful Patel, and Sunil Tatkare for believing in me in these tough times,” he stated. He expressed confidence in retaining his seat, saying, “I have got the nomination from Vandre (East), I am sure that with the love and support of all the people, I will win Bandra East again.”
Congress hits out at this decision
The political transition was foreshadowed by Siddique’s pointed criticism of the Congress on social media platform X following the MVA’s announcement of a different candidate for Vandre East. “I heard old friends have announced their candidates from Vandre East. Supporting was never in their nature,” he posted, adding, “Maintain relations with those who give respect. There is no point in surrounding yourself with a crowd. Now the people will decide.”
The November 20 election will see the MVA alliance contesting 85 seats, with the remaining 33 allocated to smaller parties. This development follows the tragic death of Baba Siddique, 66, who was shot outside his son’s Bandra office on October 12. Police have arrested fourteen suspects as they continue to investigate the motive behind the murder.
Baba Siddique & his political tenure
Notably, Baba Siddique, a former Food and Civil Supplies Minister, served three terms as Congress MLA, representing the undivided Vandre seat for two terms and Vandre (West) for one term after the constituency’s bifurcation in 2008. Earlier this year, he, too, switched allegiance to Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction.
