Baba Siddique shot dead in Mumbai

NCP leader and former Maharashtra Minister Baba Siddique died in hospital after being shot by three men in Mumbai’s Bandra East area, officials said.

Two people were arrested immediately after the incident that took place outside his MLA son Zeeshan Siddique’s office near Colgate ground in Nirmal Nagar, they added.

In a condolence message on X, deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party chief Ajit Pawar described the attack as extremely unfortunate and condemnable.

“I was shocked on learning that he died in this incident,” Mr. Pawar said, adding that he had lost a good friend and colleague.

“We have lost a leader who fought for the minority community and championed secularism,” he said, adding that a thorough probe would be conducted into the attack.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde earlier said Mumbai Police Commissioner Vivek Phansalkar had told him that two alleged shooters have been taken into custody.

One of them is from Uttar Pradesh and the other from Haryana, while a third person fled from the spot, the CM told TV channels.

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio, arrived at Lilavati Hospital where Mr. Baba Siddique was admitted.

Mr. Baba Siddique, a three time-former MLA, recently joined the NCP after quitting the Congress.

Maharashtra NCP (SP) chief Jayant Patil and other political leaders also condoled the death of Mr. Siddique.

“The news of the death of my old colleague Baba Siddiqui is very shocking. Baba Siddiqui and I also worked together in the cabinet. A moving tribute to him,” Mr. Patil tweeted.