Bollywood middleman and politician baba siddique was shot dead on saturday night. He was a prominent figure in maharashtra political circles. 66-year-old baba siddique is a former mla from Bandra West. baba siddique was shot dead outside his son Jeeshan Siddiqui's office in Bandra East. The incident took place around 9:30 pm. Hours after the shooting, the notorious lawrence Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility for the massacre. baba Siddique's rise in politics reflects Mumbai's turbulent socio-political environment. Beginning his journey in the congress party in 1977 as a teenager, siddique became a prominent figure in the Bandra Taluk youth congress by 1980. Close association with senior congress leader sunil Dutt. He won his first election as mla from Bandra West in 1999. He then won the same constituency three times in a row. From 2004 to 2008, Siddique's influence increased when he served as a minister in the maharashtra government. Siddique's influence extended beyond politics to Bollywood. baba siddique was credited with playing a key role in reconciling superstars shahrukh khan and salman Khan. He has hosted lavish Iftar parties in mumbai attended by political and bollywood celebrities. Some of the long-estranged celebs get together at these parties, letting go of their grudges. One such incident in 2013 gained much attention.
The party event led to the reunion of Shah Rukh Khan and salman Khan. Siddiqui seated shahrukh khan next to Salman's father and famous screenwriter salim khan during the Iftar dinner. The party helped end the cold war between Bollywood's two biggest stars. Many actors including salman khan, Sanjay Dutt, and shilpa shetty came to the hospital after learning about Siddique's shooting. They met Siddique's family and offered their condolences.Baba Siddiqui, who traveled with the congress for many years, suddenly left the party. He joined the ajit pawar wing of the congress PARTY' target='_blank' title='nationalist congress party-Latest Updates, Photos, Videos are a click away, CLICK NOW">nationalist congress party (NCP), saying he was quitting the congress due to personal reasons. Criticisms arose as the party switched to avoid the enforcement department's inquiry into the malpractice of the slum replacement scheme done when he was a minister. Before joining the ncp, he had said, "My journey was with Indira gandhi, Rajiv gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi. The current congress President Mallikarjuna Kharge is like my father. But sometimes some difficult decisions have to be taken in personal life." Siddiqui maintained camaraderie with everyone across party lines. Due to this, many party leaders have condemned his assassination. Senior politicians have been critical of the rising violence in Maharashtra. Shiv Sena-Uddhav unit mp Priyanka Chaturvedi has demanded a comprehensive inquiry into baba Siddiqui's murder. congress President mallikarjun Kharge and leader of Opposition in lok sabha rahul gandhi have also condemned the assassination of baba Siddiqui and criticized the maharashtra government.
Baba Siddiqui's assassination has sent shockwaves beyond Maharashtra. Former bihar Chief minister and Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) leader Jitan ram Manji expressed concern over baba Siddiqui's assassination. AIMIM president asaduddin owaisi has also voiced his condemnation.
Maharashtra deputy chief minister and National President of ncp ajit pawar has canceled his Jansanman yatra scheduled to take place in amaravati today.