NCP leader Baba Siddique shot dead in Mumbai, two held

Mumbai: NCP leader and former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique died in hospital after being shot by three men in Mumbai's Bandra East area on Saturday night, officials said.

Two persons were arrested immediately after the incident that took place outside his MLA son Zeeshan Siddiqui's office near Colgate ground in Nirmal Nagar, they added.

In a condolence message on X, deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party 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.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde earlier said 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 CM told TV channels.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the home portfolio, arrived at Lilavati Hospital where Siddique was admitted.

Siddiqui, a three time-former MLA, had recently joined the NCP after quitting the Congress. Leaders cutting across party lines condoled the death of Siddiqui, with some from opposition parties expressing concern at the law and order situation in Maharashtra.

"The firing incident is unfortunate, condemnable and painful. I am shocked to learn about his death," Siddiqui's party president and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said.

A thorough probe will be done and strict action will be taken against the guilty, he added.

NCP working president Praful Patel, a close friend of Siddiqui, said he was at a loss of words. Congress-turned-BJP leader Ashok Chavan said he had worked with Siddiqui when both were in the grand old party, adding the news was shocking.

In a post on X, Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said he was deeply shocked at the death of a "dear friend from my Youth Congress days". NCP (SP) leader Sharad Pawar said it was worrying how the law and order situation had deteriorated in Maharashtra.

Former state home minister and NCP(SP) leader Anil Deshmukh as well as Congress' leader and LoP in the assembly Vijay Wadettiwar slammed the Eknath Shinde government for the incident.

A leader with 'Y' category security getting shot dead this way was shocking, the two said.

Congress leaders remember Baba Siddique

In a post on X, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, "The tragic demise of Former Maharashtra Minister, Shri Baba Siddique is shocking beyond words. In this hour of grief, I offer my deepest condolences to his family, friends and supporters. 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."

"The tragic demise of Baba Siddique ji is shocking and saddening. My thoughts are with his family in this difficult time. This horrifying incident exposes the complete collapse of law and order in Maharashtra. The government must take responsibility, and justice must prevail," Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said in a post X.

"The news of the death of Baba Siddiqui sahab after he was shot in Mumbai is very sad. A person connected to the government is being shot in public in Mumbai. This is the state of law and order in a metropolis like Mumbai. May God give courage to Baba Siddiqui ji's family to bear this loss," said Rajya Sabha Imran Pratapgarhi.

In a post on X, Lok Sabha MP KC Venu Gopal said, "Shocked, stunned and outraged at the killing of Baba Siddique ji. Siddique ji served the people with dedication and worked hard to preserve communal harmony. His passing away is a massive loss to the people of Mumbai and Maharashtra.

This incident is a serious indictment of the crumbling law and order situation in Maharashtra. Siddique ji had on multiple occasions intimated the authorities about the threats to his life and he suffered despite being under Y plus security.

That this shooting took place on the road, in the middle of bustling markets, shows that criminals no longer fear the law in Maharashtra. Even leaders of the ruling alliance are not safe in the heart of its capital any more. The ruling regime must answer - when senior public figures aren’t safe, how will the ordinary citizen feel safe today?

'Shocked beyond words to hear about the murder of @BabaSiddique. I had first met him in 1999, with Shri Sunil Dutt.His going away is a personal loss," said Congress leader Pawan Khera.

MP and Prof. Varsha Eknath Gaikwad said, "Shocked and numbed to hear about the firing at Shri Baba Siddiqui ji. What is going on in the city? How can this happen? At a loss of words".

Inputs from PTI