Zeeshan Siddique Joins Team Ajit Pawar After Expulsion from Congress

Zeeshan Siddique, son of the late former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique, has officially joined the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), days before the crucial Maharashtra Assembly election. Siddique was expelled from the Congress in August after allegations of cross-voting in legislative council polls. He will now contest for the Vandre (East) seat, which he won under the Congress banner in 2019.

Siddique's move comes on the heels of his father's tragic death earlier this month. Baba Siddique, who served as a Congress MLA for over a decade, was shot dead outside Zeeshan’s office in Bandra, Mumbai, on October 12. The police are currently investigating the case, exploring motives including contract killing and business rivalry.

Expelled from Congress, Welcomed by Ajit Pawar

Following his expulsion from Congress, Siddique criticized the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, which includes the Congress, Uddhav Thackeray’s Shiv Sena faction, and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP. In an emotional statement after joining Ajit Pawar’s NCP, Siddique expressed gratitude to leaders Ajit Pawar, Praful Patel, and Sunil Tatkare for supporting him during tough times. He also hit out at the MVA for abandoning him after his father’s murder.

“This is an emotional day for me and my family. I am thankful to Ajit Pawar and his team for believing in me. I have received the nomination from Bandra East, and I am confident that with the love and support of the people, I will win again,” said Siddique.

Clash with MVA Over Vandre East Seat

The Vandre (East) seat has become a point of contention between Siddique and the MVA. The alliance has fielded Varun Sardesai, nephew of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, as their candidate for the seat. In a recent post on social media, Siddique criticized the MVA for their decision and hinted at his switch to a different political banner.

“The MVA has announced their candidate for Vandre East. Supporting was never in their nature,” Siddique wrote, further suggesting that he would soon align with Ajit Pawar's NCP.

Baba Siddique’s Legacy

Baba Siddique’s political career spanned decades, during which he served as a Congress MLA from 1999 to 2009. He later represented Vandre West from 2009 to 2014. Earlier this year, Baba Siddique had also joined Ajit Pawar's faction of the NCP, leaving Congress after decades of service.

Zeeshan Siddique’s decision to join Ajit Pawar's NCP faction marks a significant shift in Maharashtra's political landscape, especially with the upcoming elections and the ongoing investigation into his father's murder. As the election day nears, the battle for Vandre East is shaping up to be a closely watched contest.