Mumbai: Zeeshan Siddique, son of late politician Baba Siddique, has officially joined the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). His move comes just a few months after being expelled from Congress in August for allegedly voting against the party in the Maharashtra Legislative Council elections—an accusation he denied.
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After joining the NCP, Zeeshan expressed gratitude to Ajit Pawar, Praful Patel, and Sunil Tatkare for their support, emphasizing that this is an emotional moment for him and his family. He has received the NCP nomination to contest from Bandra East, the same seat he won in 2019 as a Congress candidate by defeating Shiv Sena’s Vishwanath Mahadeshwar.
Zeeshan’s candidacy is expected to create a significant electoral battle, as the seat is now part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance’s arrangement, and Shiv Sena (UBT) has fielded Varun Sardesai, nephew of Uddhav Thackeray, for the upcoming election. The election will take place on November 20, with results set to be announced on November 23.
This development comes amid the ongoing investigation into the tragic death of Zeeshan’s father, Baba Siddique, who was shot dead on October 12 outside Zeeshan’s Bandra office. Police have arrested 14 suspects, exploring possible motives such as business rivalry or a contract killing. Baba Siddique had earlier switched from Congress to the NCP’s Ajit Pawar faction before his death.
The political implications of Zeeshan’s move could be significant, especially given the emotional resonance his father’s murder may hold among voters in Bandra East. This shift also highlights tensions within the MVA, as Zeeshan criticized the alliance for sidelining him after his father’s death, further intensifying the electoral contest ahead.
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