Zeeshan Siddique Joins Ajit Pawar's NCP Weeks After Father's Assassination

Mumbai: Weeks after murder of NCP leer Baba Siddique, his son Zeeshan Siddique has joined Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar ’s faction of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Friday. After joining NCP, Zeeshan Siddiqui said, "This is an emotional day for me and my family. I am thankful to Ajit Pawar , Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare for believing in me in se tough times. 

Zeeshan has been announced as NCP candidate for Bandra East constituency, where he won in 2019 elections, defeating Shiv Sena's Vishwanath Maheshwar. After joining party, he said, “I have got nomination from Bandra East; I am sure that with love and support of all people, I will definitely win Bandra East yet again.”

For Vandre (Bandra) East seat, Zeeshan will be contesting against Shiv Sena (UBT) leer Arun Sardesai. Hence, former Congress leer indirectly took a jibe at Congress via a social media post on Wednesday. "I have heard that old friends have declared mselves as candidates from East. Staying toger was never in ir nature. Keep a relationship with only those who give you respect and honour. re is no benefit in increasing crowd. Now public will decide," he said.

Zeeshan was upset with Congress after party gave away his seat Bandra East to UBT Sena as per seat sharing formula of Aghi. "Maha Vikas Aghi declared ir candidates and Congress' sitting seat was given to Shiv Sena (UBT), this is very unfortunate. Congress leers and Maha Vikas Aghi leers were in touch with me in past few days...But y intended to deceive. In that difficult time, Ajit Pawar , Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare and NCP placed ir trust in me. I am thankful to m. It was an unfinished dream of my far that we have to win this seat again and fight fo rights of people. He was murdered while fighting for this. His blood runs in my veins and I will fight his fight and win Bandra East with a record margin," Zeeshan said.

Earlier in August, he was suspended from Congress for cross-voting in recent legislative council elections. Congress, Sena (UBT) and Shar Pawar's NCP (SP) are constituents of opposition bloc Maha Vikas Aghi (MVA).

Zeeshan's far, Baba Siddique, was murdered by shooters allegedly connected to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi in front of Zeeshan's office in Bandra area on October 12. Zeeshan was former president of Mumbai Youth Congress . However, in August, he stated that he was removed 'unceremoniously' and that Congress was 'sidelining' him.

NCP ( Ajit Pawar ) also announced its second list of candidates with Sana Malik, daughter of Nawab Malik to contest from Anushakti Nagar and Nishikant Patil to take on Jayant Patil in Islampur.

Earlier, BJP leer Nishikant Bhosale Patil and former BJP MP Sanjaykaka Patil also joined NCP. "I have joined NCP today on direction of our leer Devendra Fnavis . I h to shift to NCP from BJP as Islampur assembly seat went to NCP. I will win election from Islampur seat on NCP ticket," he said.

Maharashtra Assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with counting for all 288 constituencies set for November 23. In 2019 assembly elections, BJP won 105 seats, Shiv Sena 56, and Congress 44. In 2014, BJP secured 122 seats, Shiv Sena 63, and Congress 42.