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Zeeshan Siddique, who joined the NCP on Friday, will contest on Bandra East seat against Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Varun Sirdesai.
Zeeshan Siddique joins Ajit Pawar’s NCP | Image/ANI
Zeeshan Siddique, son of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique- who was shot dead earlier this month, joined the National Congress Party (NCP) led by Ajit Pawar on Friday ahead of the state assembly polls, scheduled on November 20. He was expelled by the Congress in August.
Zeeshan, an incumbent MLA representing Bandra East, was fielded against Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Varun Sirdesai, cousin of Aaditya Thackeray, soon after his induction into the NCP for the forthcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections.
“This is an emotional day for me and my family. I am thankful to Ajit Pawar, Praful Patel, and 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,” Zeeshan said.
Zeeshan’s ‘Old Friends’ Dig At Congress
Earlier this week, Zeeshan took an “old friends” jibe at the Congress after its ally, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, declared its candidate for the Bandra East seat.
Taking to X, Zeeshan Siddique said “old friends” have announced their candidate from the Bandra East seat and it was never the Congress’ nature to support.
“Heard that old friends have declared their candidate in Vandre East. It was never in their nature to support. Keep a relationship with the one who respects and honours you. That means there is no point in increasing the crowd. Now the public will take the decision!!!!” he said.
सुना है पुराने दोस्तों ने वांद्रे पुर्व में अपना उम्मीदवार घोषित कर दिया है । साथ निभाना तो कभी इनकी फितरत में था ही नहीं।“रिश्ता उसी से रखो जो इज़्ज़त और सम्मान दे,मतलब की भीड़ बढ़ाने का कोई फ़ायदा नहीं।”
अब फैसला जनता लेगी!!!!
— Zeeshan Siddique (@zeeshanBabaS) October 23, 2024
The development comes after his father, senior NCP leader Baba Siddique, was shot dead outside his office near Colgate Ground in Nirmal Nagar. Several arrests have been made in the murder case so far, with the probe continuing to nab the mastermind.
Maharashtra Assembly Polls
The Maharashtra assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with counting for all 288 constituencies set for November 23.
The main electoral contest will be between two alliances, namely the Mahayuti – comprising of BJP, Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar) and Shive Sena (Eknath Shinde). The other alliance is the Maha Vikas Agadhi – comprising of Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and NCP (Sharad Pawar).
In the 2019 assembly elections, the BJP won 105 seats, the Shiv Sena 56, and the Congress 44. The NDA is seeking re-election in the upcoming polls, while the opposition’s MVA alliance is eyeing to make a comeback years after Uddhav Thackeray-led government was ousted following a split in the Shiv Sena.