October 25, 2024: In a significant political move, Zeeshan Siddique, son of the late Baba Siddique, has officially joined the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. The announcement comes as Zeeshan prepares to contest the upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections from the Bandra East constituency, a seat previously held by Congress.

Zeeshan’s entry into the NCP follows his expulsion from the Congress party in August over allegations of cross-voting during the Maharashtra legislative council elections—claims he has consistently denied. Expressing gratitude and emotion during his announcement, Zeeshan stated, “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.”

The backdrop to Zeeshan’s political shift is the recent tragedy that struck his family. Baba Siddique, a prominent figure and former Maharashtra minister, was fatally shot on October 12 outside his office while celebrating Diwali. The attack was claimed by a member of the Bishnoi gang, who cited Siddique's ties to Bollywood star Salman Khan as the motive for the killing.

In the political landscape, the Bandra East seat is currently claimed by the Shiv Sena (UBT) as part of a seat-sharing arrangement within the Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance. The UBT has announced Varun Sardesai, nephew of former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, as its candidate for the constituency.

Zeeshan remains optimistic about his campaign, stating, “With the love and support of all the people, I will definitely win Bandra East yet again.” As he embarks on this new chapter, the political dynamics in the region are sure to shift, with both the NCP and the Shiv Sena vying for voter support in a crucial election.