Zeeshan Siddique joins NCP, vows to defend father’s legacy in Vandre (East)

The son of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddiqui, who was shot dead on Oct 12, Zeeshan Siddique joined the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress party on Oct 25 morning.

The seat in Vandre (East), which he won in the 2019 election while serving in the Congress, will be defended by Siddique against Uddhav Thackeray's nephew Varun Sardesai.

Thakrey's Shiv Sena faction has united with the Congress and Sharad Pawar's NCP party as the Maha Vikas Aghadi.

Zeeshan Siddique's move to the NCP comes a day after he attacked the Maha Vikas Aghadi, accusing them of abandoning him following the death of his father, a three-time Congress MLA who also switched to the NCP.

Baba Siddique was expelled by the Congress in Aug due to allegations of cross-voting in a legislative council election.

Siddique was incensed when the MVA announced that Thackeray's Sena will run in Vandre (East) as part of an agreement that would see his party, Sharad Pawar's NCP, and the Congress compete for 85 seats each.

Following in his father's footsteps, Siddique also criticized the opposition alliance for abandoning him.

"MVA declared their candidates, and the Congress' seat in Vandre (East) was given to the Shiv Sena (Thackeray's camp). This is very unfortunate," said Siddique.

"Congress and MVA leaders were in touch with me over the past few days... but they intended to deceive. In that difficult time, Ajit Pawar, Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare, and the NCP trusted me," he added.

"This is an emotional day for my family and me," he said.

"I have got the nomination from Vandre (East); I am sure that with the love and support of all the people, I will definitely win Bandra East yet again... It was an unfinished dream of my father that we win this seat again and fight for the rights of people. He was murdered while fighting for this,” he continued.

Three unidentified assailants shot and killed Baba Siddique, the leader of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), in Mumbai on Oct 12 night. In Nirmal Nagar, Baba Siddique was attacked outside the office of Zeeshan Siddiqui, his son, an MLA, close to Colgate Ground.