Congress Demands Resignations Following Baba Siddique’s Murder
In the wake of the shocking murder of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique, the Congress party has called for the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, and his deputies, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar.
Siddique, a former Maharashtra minister, was shot dead in Bandra, Mumbai, outside the office of his son, Congress MLA Zeeshan Siddique, sending shockwaves throughout the political landscape.
During a press conference at the AICC headquarters, Congress spokesperson Ragini Nayak and Rajya Sabha MP Imran Pratapgarhi criticized the Maharashtra government for the deteriorating law and order situation in the state, asserting that citizens no longer feel safe.
Nayak highlighted Siddique’s prominence within the NCP and his close ties with Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, questioning the implications of such violence for the general public. “If someone like him can meet such a fate, what would be the plight of a common man?” she asked.
She emphasized that not only should Chief Minister Shinde and Home Minister Fadnavis resign, but the Union Home Minister must also take responsibility. “A double-engine government demands double responsibility,” she stated.
Pratapgarhi called for the establishment of an impartial committee to investigate the murder and ensure justice is served.
A Mumbai court has remanded one of the two prime suspects in Siddique’s killing to police custody until October 21, while the other suspect, reportedly a minor from Uttar Pradesh, has been sent for an ossification test to confirm his age.
The two accused, Gurnail Baljit Singh, 23, from Haryana, and the unidentified minor, are charged with the murder, which took place near Zeeshan Siddique’s office on Saturday evening. The police are actively searching for a third suspect, Shiva Kumar, and have recovered 28 live bullets and two mobile phones from the arrested individuals.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed his shock over Siddique’s murder, stating that it reveals the collapse of law and order in Maharashtra. He conveyed his condolences on social media, asserting that the government must be held accountable.
Siddique, a prominent Muslim leader from Mumbai, was well-known for his extensive political connections and social gatherings, often hosting high-profile events attended by Bollywood stars.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also condemned the incident, demanding a thorough and transparent investigation. He expressed his condolences to Siddique’s family and emphasized the need for accountability in the case.
General Secretary K.C. Venugopal echoed these sentiments, describing Siddique’s dedication to communal harmony and lamenting the significant loss his death represents for the people of Mumbai and Maharashtra.
