Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde addressed the shooting of former NCP MLA Baba Siddique, who died from his injuries. Two suspects were arrested while a third is still at large. The case will be tried in a fast-track court, as concerns about political violence and security for leaders rise in the region.
Maharashtra: Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde held a press conference on Saturday, addressing the tragic shooting of former NCP MLA Baba Siddique, who succumbed to his injuries at Mumbai’s Lilavati Hospital. The incident, which has sent shockwaves through the political landscape of Maharashtra, saw two suspects arrested, while a third remains at large.
CM Shinde assured the public that the state government is committed to a speedy investigation and that the case will be tried in a fast-track court.
Shinde stated,
“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. 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. We will take this case to a fast-track court…”
The police have formed five specialized teams to probe the shooting, also looking into potential links to the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The violent attack occurred in Bandra East, outside the office of Siddique’s son, MLA Zeeshan Siddique, near Colgate ground in Nirmal Nagar. Eyewitness reports indicate that three unidentified assailants opened fire, hitting Siddique multiple times with a 9.9 mm pistol. Law enforcement officials suspect that this shooting was a “contract killing,” raising concerns about the escalating violence within the political sphere.
Sources revealed that Siddique had received a death threat just 15 days prior to the incident, leading to his placement under ‘Y’ category security. The former state minister had been a prominent figure in Maharashtra politics, having recently transitioned from Congress to the NCP. His untimely death marks a significant loss for his supporters and the political community alike.
In the wake of the incident, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who leads the NCP, canceled his planned tour to Amravati, part of his campaign for the upcoming assembly elections. Pawar expressed his grief over the loss of Siddique in a condolence message posted on X, describing the attack as “extremely unfortunate and condemnable.” He stated, “I was shocked on learning that he died in this incident,” adding that he had lost a good friend and colleague.
“We have lost a leader who fought for the minority community and championed secularism,” Pawar continued, assuring that a thorough investigation will be conducted into the attack.
The assassination of Baba Siddique follows the recent stabbing of another NCP office-bearer, Sachin Kurmi, in Byculla, South Mumbai, just one week prior. This string of violent incidents has raised alarms regarding the safety of political leaders in the region and has prompted calls for increased security measures.
As investigations continue and authorities work to bring the remaining suspect to justice, the political landscape in Maharashtra remains tense. The promise of a fast-track trial by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde offers a glimmer of hope for swift justice, but the tragic events surrounding Baba Siddique’s death underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to combat political violence and ensure the safety of public figures.
In a time when political tensions are running high, the community watches closely, seeking reassurance that justice will prevail and that such tragic incidents will not become the norm in Maharashtra’s political arena.
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