The former minister and three-time MLA, Siddique, 66, is likely to join the NCP faction led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
Announcing his resignation on X, Siddique said: “I joined the Indian National Congress party as a young teenager and it has been a significant journey lasting 48 years. Today I resign from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress Party with immediate effect. There’s a lot I would have liked to express but as they say some things are better left unsaid. I thank everyone who has been a part of this journey.”
There had been speculation about Siddique’s move for some time. His son Zeeshan Siddique is currently the Congress MLA from Bandra East as well as the chief of the Youth Congress’s Mumbai unit. He is yet to announce his decision, although he may also follow his father’s footsteps.
Siddique’s rise
Siddique started his political innings with the Congress from the ranks and soon became one of close aides of former party veteran and actor late Sunil Dutt. Siddique established close ties with the Dutt family, particularly with his son Sanjay Dutt. He is still close to them, including ex-MP Priya Dutt.
Siddique was elected as a corporator of the Mumbai civic body on the Congress’s ticket for two terms, in 1992 and 1997. In 1999, he won from the Bandra West Assembly constituency as the Congress candidate, going on to retain the seat in the 2004 and 2009 polls.
Siddiqui had been the chairman of the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA)’s Mumbai Board during 2000-2004. He also served as the minister of state for food and civil supplies in the then Congress-NCP government from 2004 to 2008.
He, however, lost his seat to the BJP’s candidate in the 2014 polls. And, in the 2019 polls, the party fielded his son Zeeshan from the Bandra East constituency.
Siddique’s Bollywood connect
Siddique is also known for his influence in the Bollywood, with his annual iftar parties attended by leading film stars ranging from Shahrukh Khan and Salman Khan to Sanjay Dutt.
Siddique was however often criticised by his political opponents for allegedly giving free hand to criminals in his constituency. In 2017, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided the premises linked to him in Bandra in connection with a money laundering case over a land deal related to a slum rehabilitation project. He has since taken a back seat in public life, projecting Zeeshan as his political heir.
Congress sources claimed that Siddique, who hails from Bihar, had reached out to RJD leader Tejaswi Yadav for a Rajya Sabha seat in the past, but to no avail.
Given his support base being confined to Bandra, the Congress refrained from projecting Siddique as its Muslim face in Mumbai. Last week, he said he was with the Congress but would not comment about his future.
Jolt to Congress
Mumbai Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad described Siddique’s decision to quit the party as “disappointing and self-serving”.
“Baba Siddique’s decision to move on after years of service to the Congress and the trust placed in him is deeply disappointing and most regrettable. That he has chosen to do this at a time when our country is at a critical juncture and the entire Congress Parivar is engaged in fighting against the systemic murder of democracy by the BJP is quite telling,” Gaikwad said.
“However, the Congress remains steadfast in its commitment to serving our city and country with integrity and dedication. We won’t let self-serving actions derail us from our mission towards achieving Nyay (justice) for all,” she said.
The Ajit NCP is looking to capitalise on Siddique’s influence in the minority community in Mumbai to expand its base in the city. Currently, Sameer Bhujbal, nephew of senior minister Chhagan Bhujbal, is the party’s Mumbai unit chief. The Ajit NCP may however prefer a Mumbai face to lead its city unity, sources said. It is also hoping to take Zeeshan on board to stake claim on the Bandra East constituency in the upcoming polls, given that the Bandra West seat is with its ally BJP being represented by Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar.
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