Monday, 23 December 2024
Monday, 23 December 2024
A few weeks ahead of the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections, NCP leader and former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique died in Lilavati hospital after three men shot him in Mumbai's Bandra East area on Saturday night. The murder took place outside Siddique’s son Zeeshan’s office. Zeeshan is now the Congress MLA from Mumbai’s Bandra East.
The shooters opened four to five rounds of fire from a 9.9 MM pistol.
Police have arrested two of the alleged assailants, identified as Haryana resident Gurmail Baljit Singh (23) and Uttar Pradesh native Dharmaraj Rajesh Kashyap (19), while another accused is on the run and efforts are on to trace him.
The Telegraph Online looks at the political reactions after Baba Siddiqui’s murder.
Rahul Gandhi: Complete collapse of law and order in Maharashtra
Rahul Gandhi lamented the collapse of law and order in Maharashtra, and held the Eknath Shinde government accountable for the unprecedented tragedy.
“The tragic demise of Baba Siddique ji is shocking and saddening. My thoughts are with his family in this difficult time,” wrote the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha on X.
“This horrifying incident exposes the complete collapse of law and order in Maharashtra. The government must take responsibility, and justice must prevail,” he added.
Aaditya Thackeray: Complete collapse of administration
Aaditya Thackeray, leader of Shiv Sena (UBT) found Baba Siddique’s murder “shocking”.
“This, sadly reflects on the law and order situation in Maharashtra. The complete collapse of administration, law and order,” he wrote on X.
Ajit Pawar: Let’s not politicize Siddique’s murder
The NCP was “devastated” to learn about Baba Siddique’s murder, said deputy Chief minister of Maharashtra Ajit Pawar.
“We are heartbroken, struggling to grasp the cruelty of this incident. This is not just a political loss—it’s a deeply personal tragedy that has shaken us all,” Pawar added.
“I strongly urge everyone to resist the temptation to politicize this horrifying event. This is not a time for division or for exploiting the pain of others for political advantage. Right now, our focus must be on ensuring that justice is served,” he said.
Mallikarjun Kharge: Accountability is paramount
Shocked by Siddique's murder, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge ordered the Eknath Shinde government to conduct a thorough investigation into the case.
“The tragic demise of Former Maharashtra Minister, Shri Baba Siddique is shocking beyond words,” wrote Kharge on X.
Offering his “deepest condolences” to Siddique’s family, friends and supporters, Kharge said, “Justice must be ensured, and the present Maharashtra Govt must order a thorough and transparent investigation.”
“The culprits must be brought to book at the earliest. Accountability is paramount,” he concluded.
Tejashwi Yadav: Crumbling law and order exposed
Reacting to Siddique's murder, the leader of Rashtriya Janata Dal Tejashwi Yadav said no one was safe in Mumbai.
“The incident is shocking and saddening. I knew him personally as he was a native of Bihar’s Gopalganj district. If such an incident can take place in a city like Mumbai, especially in the Bandra area, one could say that no one is safe there,” said RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav.
“This shows the crumbling law-and-order situation in that state. My thoughts are with his family in this difficult time,” he added.
Ramesh Chennithala: Chief minister Eknath Shinde must resign
Congress's Ramesh Chennithala said the murder exposed the absence of law and reign of anarchy in Mumbai.
“Baba Siddiqui's murder shows complete anarchy in Mumbai. The rule of law is gone. CM & Dy CM must resign immediately, taking responsibility!” wrote Chennithala on X.
Syed Shahnawaz Hussain: Opposition leaders doing petty politics
BJP national spokesperson and former Union minister Syed Shahnawaz Hussain slammed the opposition parties for engaging in "petty politics" over the cold-blooded murder of Baba Siddique.
"Baba Siddique was a great human being. We are all saddened by his murder. Two of those involved in his murder have been caught and probe is on to find out those who were behind this," Hussain told PTI.
"The entire country is saddened by his murder but the opposition leaders are indulging in petty politics on this issue," he lamented.
Ajoy Kumar: Sense of terror before the Maharashtra polls
Senior Congress leader Ajoy Kumar said when he met Siddique a few days ago in Mangalore, the latter did not complain of his life being under any threats.
Demanding a "high-level" probe into the matter, Kumar said, "His murder raises questions over the prevailing law and order of the state… Leave alone the comman man, even former ministers are not safe in Maharashtra.”
Kumar added that “a sense of insecurity and terror" was prevailing in Maharashtra ahead of the Assembly polls.
