Maharashtra polls: Baba Siddique’s son Zeeshan joins NCP; to defend Vandre East seat
Accusing MVA of having deceived him by giving the seat to a Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate, Zeeshan says he will strive to win the seat to fulfil the dream of his father
Zeeshan Siddique, son of assassinated NCP leader Baba Siddique, on Friday (October 25) joined the Ajit Pawar faction of the party.
The NCP has announced him as the party’s candidate from Vandre East constituency for the Maharashtra Assembly polls.
Zeeshan, a Congress MLA from the Vandre East constituency, and a former president of Mumbai Youth Congress, was expelled by the party in August, after being accused of cross-voting in the legislative council polls.
After being formally welcomed to the NCP fold, Zeeshan lashed out at the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, accusing it of having abandoned him and his father after the latter’s murder.
Accusing MVA leaders of having deceived him, he said even though the alliance was in touch with him, it allotted the Vandre East seat to a Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate.
"Maha Vikas Aghadi declared their candidates and Congress' sitting seat was given to Shiv Sena (UBT), this is very unfortunate. Congress leaders and Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders were in touch with me in the past few days...But they intended to deceive. In that difficult time, Ajit Pawar, Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare and NCP placed their trust in me. I am thankful to them. It was an unfinished dream of my father that we have to win this seat again and fight for the rights of people. He was murdered while fighting for this. His blood runs in my veins and I will fight his fight and win Bandra East with a record margin," ANI quoted him as saying on Friday.
As part of the seat-sharing pact between the MVA allies, Uddhav’s cousin Varun Sardesai has been fielded from Vandre East.
Miffed by the decision, Zeeshan had said one should maintain relations with people who give respect, hinting about a possible switchover.
Zeeshan’s father and NCP leader Baba Siddique, 66, was shot dead outside the former’s office in Bandra area of Mumbai on October 12.
