Breaking : NCP Leader Baba Siddique Shot Dead in Mumbai Amid Dussehra Celebrations – Political Repercussions Intensify

NCP Leader Baba Siddique Shot Dead in Mumbai: Political Turmoil Erupts Ahead of Elections

In what has become the most horrifying incident in India, a Mumbai leader of NCP Baba Siddique was brutally killed in Mumbai on October 12, 2024. The incident took place close to his office in Bandra east along with that of his son Zeeshan Siddique and shocked the entire city on the increase of political storms. This circumvention of punishment on such a high-profile assassination during Dussehra festivities has raised alarm over security in the state of Maharashtra with impending assembly elections down the line.

The Assassination Incident

Baba Siddique was standing outside the office of his son when three unknown gunmen drove to the scene in a car and started shooting. Using the excuse of the loud Dussehra celebrations and fireworks, they shot several rounds for which two fired bullets struck Siddique in the chest. After being taken to Lilavati Hospital he was reported dead at 1127 PM with no possibility of revival due to grave injuries that he had sustained.

The shooting occurred in a crowded neighborhood but the commemorative gunfire ‘firecrackers’ aided the assailants’ escape. A 9.9 mm pistol was utilized and investigations on the case are still underway but so far political and corporate conflict have emerged as likely causes.

Arrests and Ongoing Investigation

According to the reports, the Mumbai Police managed to apprehend two people that were suspected of committing the crime while one is still wanted. Early indications support the claim that Lawrence Bishnoi’s notorious gang has been actively involved in this high scale crime pattern.

The murder weapon was retrieved by the police, and the post mortem is being conducted in Cooper Hospital. Officials say they are leaving no stone unturned in the investigation including interrogating Baba Siddique with respect to his political and business affairs in a bid to get to the motive behind this murder.

Political Reactions and Fallout

Siddique’s murder has triggered a tribal/political storm in the state of Maharashtra and leaders of every party are expressing their anguish and outrage. Eknath Shinde, Chief Minister of Maharashtra, also went to Lilavati Hospital and promised that strict measures would be taken and the masterminds behind the act will face consequences. Two of the suspects have already been detained while efforts are on to nab the third.

The leaders of the opposition were the first to put the blame on the Maharashtra government. Mallikarjun Kharge, the president of the congress party, has condemned the killing and has called for a comprehensive inquiry. Aaditya Thackeray of the Shiv Sena (UBT) has raised the issue of the breakdown of law and order in the State and termed the murder as an “administrative sleep”. This incident has taken place at a very strategic time when the elections of the Maharashtra assembly are approaching and therefore can be used for political mileage in the days to come.

His death is a catastrophic loss to the political community in particular Bandra where he had a fair share of political clout. Salman Khan, Shilpa Shetty, Sanjay Dutt and other critics of the bollywood personalities also went to the hospital to greet the mourning family. 

Public Outcry and Questions Over Safety

The residents of the city, Mumbai, have been left speechless by the assassination and wonder whether public figures can be safe and whether the state can handle the situation. With the political temperature rising and parties making elections out of the tragedy, more attention than normal has to be paid to the security in the present days than the usual days.

This terrible killing is just another illustration of the hazards that politicians often endure, for example, there is always a lot of tension in many countries during election periods. While more than two angles have emerged, people in Mumbai and Maharashtra await more than mere investigations. They want vengeance. They want solace. They want an end to the sword.