The tragic death of former Maharashtra Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique has sent shockwaves across political and social circles in Mumbai. Siddique was cremated at Bada Kabristan with full state honours on Sunday, a day after he was murdered in cold blood.
Prominent NCP leaders such as Praful Patel, Chhagan Bhujbal, and Ajit Pawar attended the funeral, marking the profound impact Siddique had on the political landscape.
The assassination of Baba Siddique occurred outside his office in Nirmal Nagar, where he was shot twice in the chest. Despite being rushed to Lilavati Hospital for emergency care, Siddique succumbed to his injuries later that night. Dr. Jalil Parkar, who attended to him, confirmed that Siddique arrived at the hospital with no detectable pulse or blood pressure, and all resuscitative efforts ultimately failed to revive him. The sudden loss of the NCP leader has left a void in Maharashtra politics, sparking widespread outcry over the safety and security of public figures.
In a swift response, the Mumbai police launched an investigation into the murder and made significant arrests within a short period. On Sunday, authorities arrested a suspect named Pravin Lonkar in Pune.
Lonkar is reportedly linked to the conspirators involved in Siddique’s murder, which also implicates his brother, Shubham Lonkar. According to police, the brothers played a critical role in planning the crime, enlisting two others, Dharmaraj Kashyap and Shivkumar Gautam, to carry out the act.
On the same day, Gurmail Singh, another accused in the case, was remanded in police custody until October 21. The court has ordered an ossification test on Singh as part of the ongoing investigation.
The incident has raised serious concerns about law and order in Maharashtra, with opposition parties blaming the state government for failing to ensure Siddique’s safety. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut criticised the current administration, describing the murder as a significant lapse in security.
Kharge pointed out that despite Siddique’s repeated warnings about threats to his life, adequate protection was not provided. He expressed deep concern over the deteriorating security situation in Mumbai, a city that should be under constant vigilance.
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam also weighed in, calling Siddique’s murder a personal loss and questioning the state's handling of the situation. Raut echoed these sentiments, criticising Chief Minister Eknath Shinde for the perceived failure of his administration in preventing such a crime. According to Raut, the incident has damaged Maharashtra’s reputation as a state with traditionally strong law and order.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, along with Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, visited Lilavati Hospital to console Siddique’s family.
Shinde vowed to take strict action against those involved and ensure justice is served. Union Minister Ramdas Athawale also condemned the murder, calling for harsh punishment for the culprits. He highlighted the great loss that Siddique’s death represents for the Mahayuti alliance and emphasised his close ties with the late leader.
Siddique had been a prominent political figure for over three decades, initially serving with the Congress Party before joining the NCP eight months ago. His contributions to both politics and social causes earned him widespread respect, including from the Dalit community, despite his minority background. His sudden and violent death has left a deep impact on his colleagues and supporters.
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