LIVE | Baba Siddique murder: ‘Killers’ claim to be from Lawrence Bishnoi gang
The shocking incident has prompted the Opposition to question the law-and-order situation in the state where assembly elections are due next month
Baba Siddique, senior Nationalist Congress Party leader of the Ajit Pawar faction, was shot dead by three men in Mumbai's Bandra East late on Saturday (October 12) evening. Two of the assailants have been arrested.
The former Maharashtra minister, who was 66 years old, was rushed to Lilavati Hospital after being shot. The firing took place outside his MLA son Zeeshan Siddique's office near Colgate ground in Nirmal Nagar, an official said.
"Two to three rounds were fired. Further probe is underway as teams have rushed to the area," the official said. Siddique had recently joined the NCP from the Congress.
Prominent Muslim leader
The shocking incident prompted the Opposition to question the law-and-order situation in the state where Assembly elections are expected to be held next month.
Siddique had represented Bandra (West) seat three times in the assembly. A prominent Muslim leader from Mumbai, Siddique was also known be close to several Bollywood stars.
In a condolence message on X, deputy Chief Minister and NCP chief Ajit Pawar described the attack as extremely unfortunate and condemnable.
"I was shocked on learning that he died in this incident," Pawar said, adding that he had lost a good friend and colleague.
"We have lost a leader who fought for the minority community and championed secularism," he said, adding that a thorough probe would be conducted into the attack.
2 arrested
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said earlier that Mumbai police commissioner Vivek Phansalkar had told him that two alleged shooters have been taken into custody.
One of them is from Uttar Pradesh and the other from Haryana, while a third accused fled from the spot, the chief minister told TV channels.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the home portfolio, arrived at Lilavati Hospital sometime after the incident.
Siddique had joined the Ajit Pawar-led NCP only this year.
Opposition targets Maharashtra govt
NCP (SP) president Sharad Pawar said the deteriorating law and order situation was worrying. “It was also alarming that the situation was being handled so lightly,” Pawar said as he targeted Home Minister Fadnavis.
The ruling party should take responsibly and quit, the senior Pawar said in his post on X.
Balasaheb Thorat, leader of the Congress legislature party in Maharashtra assembly, said a leader from the ruling party with Y-category security was shot dead, which raises serious questions on the law-and-order situation.
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray said the murder was shocking.
"This, sadly, reflects on the law-and-order situation in Maharashtra. The complete collapse of administration, law and order," Thackeray said.
NCP working president Praful Patel, a close friend of Siddique, said he was at a loss for words.
BJP leader and former Congressman Ashok Chavan said he had worked with Siddique when both were in the grand old party, adding the news was shocking.
In a post on X, Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, the party's in-charge for Maharashtra, said he was deeply shocked at the death of a "dear friend from my Youth Congress days".
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Live Updates
- 13 Oct 2024 11:57 AM IST
Plot behind murder will be known in next 2-3 days: Ajit Pawar
#WATCH | Baba Siddique murder case | Maharashtra deputy CM Ajit Pawar says, "I cannot believe the incident which occurred yesterday in Mumbai. He was one of our leaders and has worked for years in Mumbai. He was also in Congress and was a three-time MLA. He worked as a minister… pic.twitter.com/SugRqfLE5G
— ANI (@ANI) October 13, 2024 - 13 Oct 2024 11:55 AM IST
Surprising that nobody is safe in a big city like Mumbai: Tejashwi Yadav
#WATCH | Patna | Baba Siddique Murder | Former Bihar Dy CM & RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav says, " The way he was murdered yesterday...we are all grieving...it is a very surprising thing that in such a big city like Mumbai...if such incidents can take place there, then we can… pic.twitter.com/PIV7gI26rO
— ANI (@ANI) October 13, 2024 - 13 Oct 2024 11:53 AM IST
#WATCH | Delhi | | Baba Siddique Murder | BJP's National General Secretary Tarun Chugh says, " The incident is extremely condemnable, probe is underway, CM, Dy CM and whole administration are strictly monitoring this...two accused were arrested overnight...culprits won't be… pic.twitter.com/KT9HLrg5tW
— ANI (@ANI) October 13, 2024 - 13 Oct 2024 11:27 AM IST
Shiv Sena (UBT) demands resignation of Fadnavis
VIDEO | “The law and order situation in Mumbai used to be very good. Now, there is no fear of police... We have been saying that Maharashtra Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis has failed completely and he should resign. However, now the situation has deteriorated. Therefore, the… pic.twitter.com/hbVdli1TRV
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 13, 2024 - 13 Oct 2024 11:26 AM IST
VIDEO | "Baba Siddique was our old and good friend. He had created a name for himself in politics all on his own. He was a very popular leader. We have worked together. The incident that happened was very sad. The person who fired bullets was apprehended. The police are… pic.twitter.com/RSliHf7sob
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 13, 2024 - 13 Oct 2024 11:19 AM IST
Unfortunate that Opposition is politicising the incident: BJP spokesperson
VIDEO | "The murder of Baba Siddique ji is tragic. He was a prominent leader, and there should be no politics over this. Within 24 hours, two accused have already been arrested. CM Eknath Shinde ji himself is closely monitoring the investigation. Even Devendra Fadnavis ji has… pic.twitter.com/mF0g6GhbJu
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 13, 2024 - 13 Oct 2024 10:58 AM IST
Don't see any political angle to the murder: Chhagan Bhujbal
#WATCH | Baba Siddique Murder | Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal says, "It is saddening. In the last 10 days, one Talluka Pramukh and one leader of NCP have been murdered. Police were aware of the threats and Y security was provided to him. The duty of the… pic.twitter.com/hehrjdnU0S
— ANI (@ANI) October 13, 2024 - 13 Oct 2024 10:57 AM IST
What happened is very unfortunate and condemnable. Govt should make sure to give the strictest punishment to the conspirators behind this...this is the example of the law-and-order situation of Maharashtra: Congress MP Manish Tewari
- 13 Oct 2024 10:56 AM IST
#WATCH | Baba Siddique Murder | Congress leader & LoP Maharashtra Assembly, Vijay Wadettiwar says, " ...The shooters have been arrested, Police are investigating but today Mumbai, in public places, such gangsters and criminals are coming and opening fire...If a ruling party's… pic.twitter.com/PLaPjlBN0C
— ANI (@ANI) October 13, 2024 - 13 Oct 2024 10:56 AM IST
#WATCH | Mumbai | Baba Siddique murder case | Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit says, "Baba Siddique was a good friend of mine. I had never thought that such an incident would happen with him. He was accessible to the people and had a place in public life... The way he has been murdered, I… pic.twitter.com/dT1KyCMgTK
— ANI (@ANI) October 13, 2024