Baba Siddiqui's son Zeeshan Siddique joins Ajit Pawar's NCP ahead of Maharashtra elections
Baba Siddique, Zeeshan Siddique
Zeeshan Siddique, son of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddiqui, who was shot dead on October 12, joined the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Friday (October 25).
Earlier in August, Zeeshan was expelled from Congress forvoting against the party in Maharashtra’s legislative council elections, a claim he denies.
Zeeshan will once again contest for the Vandre (East) constituency, a seat he won in 2019 as a Congress candidate. This time, he will face Varun Sardesai, nephew of Uddhav Thackeray, whose Shiv Sena faction is allied with Congress and the NCP faction led by Sharad Pawar as part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi.
"MVA declared their candidates and the Congress' seat (of Vandre (East) was given to the Shiv Sena (Thackeray's camp) ... this is very unfortunate. 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," Zeeshan said.
“It is an emotional day for me and my family. I am thankful to Ajit Pawar, Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare for believing in me in these tough times. I have got the nomination from Bandra East, I am sure that with the love and support of all the people, I will definitely win Bandra East yet again,” he added after joining the NCP.
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
WWE Backlash 2026 Full Results: Reigns beats Fatu; 'John Cena Classic' revealed
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
7 reasons why China is mass-producing Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter jets faster than ever
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Vijay goes off-script before reading formal oath of Tamil Nadu CM, jubilant fans cheer every word | WATCH top 5 moments
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'Flight Deck Boots': Why USS Abraham Lincoln sailors wear extremely heavy shoes
)
Gold Gala 2026: Priyanka Chopra Jonas stuns at the red carpet in vintage chikankari sculptural gown | See pics
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'Hydraulic Arms': How the USS Abraham Lincoln pops up its emergency net
)
Why was a 22-foot gold statue of Trump unveiled at his Florida golf resort?
)
Pak Army chief says last year’s conflict with India was ‘battle of two ideologies’, claims strategy superioirity
)
Disha Patani to make Hollywood debut with Kevin Spacey’s The Portal of Force | Watch trailer
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet Top 5 Batters Fastest to 100 T20 Sixes
)
‘Will not allow any country to interfere’: Iran warns France, UK against any Hormuz deployment; Macron says ‘never envisaged’ it
)
All eyes on modern look: Vijay chooses black pantsuit over traditional shirt-veshti at TN CM oath ceremony
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why defense analysts believe China’s Chengdu J-20 stealth fighter program has entered a dangerous new era
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Who will get Ted Turner’s fortune?
)
'I don't like it...': Trump rejects Iran's peace proposal, issues stark warning: War to restart soon?
)
Trisha Krishnan shares warm moment with Vijay’s family during Tamil Nadu CM swearing-in ceremony
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'Gore-Tex': How the USS Abraham Lincoln crew survives icy Arctic winds
)
US-Iran War: Reports Claim Russia Could Supply Iran With Unjammable Fiber-Optic Drones
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'He is alive but...': Netanyahu issues BIG statement about Mojtaba Khamenei, his whereabouts; admits Israel and US failed to foresee Hormuz crisis
)
Iran mulls taking full control of all 7 undersea internet cables passing through Strait of Hormuz
)
Elon Musk's Neuralink is building a robot that can reach any part of the brain
)
North Korea amends constitution, mandates nuclear strike if Kim Jong Un is assassinated: Report
)
BLACKPINK's Lisa to perform at FIFA World Cup opening ceremony alongside Katy Perry, Tyla and more
)
‘Iran war not over until uranium is removed, facilities dismantled,’ says Benjamin Netanyahu
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How many J-20 fighter jets are currently operational in China’s air force
)
‘Curb fuel use, avoid foreign travel and buying gold,’ PM Modi appeals nation to help tide over crisis
)
Iran claims US F-35 Lightning II fighter jet declared mid-air emergency near Strait of Hormuz – What we know
)
'Love is always louder': Trisha's first post after Vijay is sworn-in as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
UFO Files: Pentagon launches new portal (WAR.GOV/UFO) with 162 declassified files
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (May 11-17, 2026): Kartavya to Dhurandhar: The Revenge- 8 new movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'Draft Limits': Why the USS Abraham Lincoln cannot enter most ports
Referring to his father’s legacy, Zeeshan said, "His blood runs in my veins. I will fight his fight and win by a record margin."
Baba Siddiqui, 66, was shot down outside Zeeshan’s office in Bandra on October 12. Police have arrested 14 suspects and are investigating potential motives, including possible business rivalry and contract killing.
A former Food and Civil Supplies Minister, Baba Siddiqui served as a Congress MLA for the undivided Vandre seat for two terms. Following the seat’s division in 2008, he represented Vandre (West). Earlier this year, he also left Congress to join Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction.
(With inputs from agencies)
