The Highlights:
Zeeshan Siddique, son of late former minister Baba Siddique, has come on board with the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in a major political development on the eve of the Maharashtra Assembly elections. He was expelled by the Indian National Congress (INC) last August for cross-voting in the Maharashtra legislative council elections. Siddique has denied the charges, though.
Zeeshan Siddique’s Congress Expulsion turns into NCP Candidature
The controversy that led to Zeeshan Siddique’s Congress expulsion in 2021 struck him pretty hard from the world of politics. He is one of the celebrated politicians within the Bandra (East) constituency who emerged as victorious during the 2019 assembly elections as a Congress candidate. However, his current expulsion through allegations of cross-voting created huge media buzz within the ranks of the Congress party, leading to a political backlash against him.
Moving in a bold step, Siddique has found a new home within the NCP with Ajit Pawar, to be given the ticket to fight from Vandre East constituency again. This is rather at a crucial time when Maharashtra Assembly elections are weeks away.
Addressing the media after formally joining the NCP, Siddique thanked Ajit Pawar, Praful Patel and Sunil Tatkare for inducting him into the party. He also targeted the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) coalition, comprising the Shiv Sena faction of Uddhav Thackeray, Sharad Pawar’s NCP, and Congress, for not standing by him now when he needs it the most. “This is an emotional day for me and my family,” Siddique said referring to his tribulations since his father was assassinated early last month.
Timely electoral battle
Zeeshan Siddique’s political comeback under the NCP banner is not without some challenges. He will contest from the highly competitive seat of Vandre (East), where he is likely to face a tough battle against Varun Sardesai, nephew of Uddhav Thackeray. MVA has fielded Sardesai as its candidate. It has further complicated Siddique’s relation with his former allies in the Congress and Shiv Sena (UBT). This electoral battle is going to be one of the most closely watched in this election round, as both the candidates will fight for control over the critical constituency in Mumbai.
Enhancement of Ajit Pawar’s Control
A step toward the NCP, Zeeshan Siddique with the influence spreading of Ajit Pawar within the political scenery of Maharashtra. Pawar has thus far been on his way to consolidating power that has been developing since this year, breaking up from his uncle Sharad Pawar to form his faction in the NCP. And with the Maha Vikas Aghadi and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) waiting at the door for him to give it a strong competition at the Maharashtra Assembly elections.
In securing Siddique’s entry into the party, Ajit Pawar has made a strategic move for consolidating his faction’s position in Mumbai as the Bandra East seat is a prestigious constituency.
Baba Siddique’s Legacy and Tragic End
The latest political developments come in the wake of the tragic assassination of Baba Siddique, who was shot dead outside his son Zeeshan’s office in Bandra on October 12, 2024. Baba Siddique was a three-time MLA and a senior political figure associated with both the Congress and later with the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP. His murder has sent shockwaves through the political scene in Maharashtra, with all motives for the murder, from rivalry in politics to a hit, under active consideration. Till date, 14 have been arrested in connection with his assassination.
Zeeshan Siddique too has come out, voicing his frustration with the Congress and MVA alliance for not backing him during these turbulent times. His move to join Ajit Pawar’s NCP seems as much a matter of personal loss as of political gain .
The Road Ahead: What’s Next for Zeeshan Siddique?
Coming up to the Maharashtra Elections, Zeeshan Siddique would be watched keenly as his political journey at the NCP goes on. Popular in Bandra East, with the politics of shifting loyalties and emotional weight of his father’s sad death, all add a new dimension to his crusade. Whether he can regain his seat and further his political carrier under the patronage of Ajit Pawar.
Irrespective of the eventual outcome, a Siddique switching over to NCP and a forthcoming electoral fight with the candidate from the Thackeray family will make the Vandre East contest a high-profile affair in the 2024 Maharashtra elections.
Conclusion
Zeeshan Siddique’s entry into the politics of Ajit Pawar’s NCP has not only opened up a new chapter in his political career but also heightened the Maharashtra Assembly elections. Furthermore, under emotional undercurrents set by his father’s recent assassination and delicate political calculus in joining a rival faction, Siddique is sure to turn out to be a key player in the elections. With voters preparing for the November polls, the contest in Bandra East is sure to capture widespread attention.
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