Who was Baba Siddique, Ajit Pawar's NCP faction leader shot dead in Mumbai?

Baba Siddique, 66, was a key Muslim political leader in Maharashtra and also served as state minister. More than politics, Siddique was known for his socialite image and hosting grand iftar parties every year.

In Short

• Baba Siddique, former Maharashtra minister, shot dead in Mumbai
• He was popularly known for hosting grand iftar parties
• He left Congress in 2023, joined Ajit Pawar's NCP faction

Former Maharashtra minister and Nationalist Congress Party leader Baba Siddique was killed in Mumbai on Saturday. He was shot outside his son and MLA Zeeshan Siddique's office by three unidentified men.

Siddique, 66, was a key Muslim political leader in Maharashtra and also served as Minister of State for Food and Civil Supplies, Labour and FDA. More than politics, Siddique was known for his socialite image and hosting grand iftar parties every year.

WHO WAS BABA SIDDIQUE?

Born on September 13, 1958 in Patna, Baba Siddique grew up in Mumbai and joined the Congress as a teenager in 1977. He quickly rose through the ranks due to his strong connections with the local electorate.

Baba Siddique went on to become the General Secretary of the Bandra Taluka of the Bandra Youth Congress in 1980 and was elected its chief within the next two years. In 1988, he became the president of the Mumbai Youth Congress and was elected Municipal Councillor in 1992.

In 1999, Siddique won his first election as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Bandra West constituency. His win was seen as a result of his strong grassroots support and ability to mobilise voters from diverse communities. He went on to represent Bandra West for three consecutive terms, holding the seat until 2014.

During his time as an MLA, Siddique worked extensively on improving the infrastructure of his constituency, focusing on slum rehabilitation, upgrading healthcare facilities, and enhancing educational institutions.

BABA SIDDIQUE's IFTAR PARTIES

Baba Siddique was widely recognised for hosting annual Iftar parties, which became a hallmark of his political career. These gatherings were not only a display of cultural harmony but also brought together political leaders from various parties, Bollywood celebrities, and business figures.

His 2013 iftar party became the talk of the town after Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, two of the biggest superstars of Bollywood, ended their five-year-long 'cold war' by giving each other a warm hug. Baba Siddique was credited for brokering peace between the two Khans.

POLITICAL SETBACKS AND LEAVING CONGRESS

Though Baba Siddique remained a prominent face in Mumbai politics, he faced a major setback in 2014 when he lost the Bandra West seat in the Maharashtra state elections. Despite this loss, Siddique remained active in public life, working behind the scenes within the Congress party and continuing his involvement in social causes.

In February this year, Baba Siddique left the Congress and joined the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).