Former Maharashtra Minister Baba Siddique’s decision to join Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) after exiting the Congress marks a significant development in Maharashtra’s political landscape. Siddique, a prominent Muslim face of the Mumbai Congress, dealt a severe blow to his former party when he announced his resignation after a 48-year-long association.
The 66-year-old politician’s decision to leave the Congress came as a surprise to many, considering his long-standing allegiance to the party. However, Siddique expressed his readiness to join Ajit Pawar’s faction of the NCP, stating, “I will go with the Ajit Pawar group. My journey will be from Congress to Nationalist Congress Party.”
In his parting message to the Congress, Siddique expressed gratitude for the significant journey he had with the party since joining as a young teenager. However, he refrained from divulging specific reasons for his departure, stating, “There’s a lot I would have liked to express, but as they say, some things are better left unsaid.”
Siddique’s exit from the Congress comes on the heels of another senior Mumbai Congress leader, Milind Deora, joining the Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in January. The departure of key leaders like Siddique and Deora underscores the challenges faced by the Congress in retaining its members and maintaining its political influence in Maharashtra.
The timing of Siddique’s decision is noteworthy, considering the recent recognition by the Election Commission of India of Ajit Pawar’s faction as the legitimate NCP. This decision put an end to months of speculation surrounding the factional feud within the NCP, particularly between Ajit Pawar and his uncle, Sharad Pawar, the founder of the party.
Siddique’s move to align himself with Ajit Pawar’s faction of the NCP indicates a strategic shift in his political allegiance. By joining a faction that has received recognition from the Election Commission, Siddique positions himself within a party that holds significant political clout in Maharashtra’s ruling coalition.
The implications of Siddique’s departure for the Congress are profound. As a seasoned politician and a key figure in Mumbai’s political landscape, Siddique’s exit may trigger a domino effect, leading to further defections from the party. Additionally, his decision to join the NCP highlights the challenges faced by the Congress in retaining its core support base and maintaining cohesion within its ranks.
Siddique’s son, Zeeshan Siddique, who currently serves as a Congress MLA from Bandra (East) in Mumbai, remains undecided about following in his father’s footsteps. When asked about his son’s future political trajectory, Siddique maintained that Zeeshan would make his own decision.
In addition to his political endeavors, Siddique is also known for hosting grand Iftar parties, which are attended by top Bollywood stars such as Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan. His ability to bridge the worlds of politics and entertainment has made him a prominent figure in Mumbai’s social circles.
As Siddique embarks on a new chapter in his political career with the NCP, the ramifications of his decision are likely to reverberate across Maharashtra’s political landscape. His departure from the Congress underscores the challenges facing the party, while his alignment with Ajit Pawar’s faction of the NCP signals a shifting dynamic within the state’s ruling coalition.
