Another Blow For Mumbai Congress as Baba Siddique Quits, Likely to Join Ajit Pawar-led NCP

Mumbai: Former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique announced his resignation from the Indian National Congress (INC) on Thursday. This ends a 48-year association with the party, leaving many speculating about his next political move.

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 @INCIndia with immediate effect. There’s a lot I would have liked to express…

— Baba Siddique (@BabaSiddique) February 8, 2024

Siddique, a prominent figure in Mumbai politics, served as the Minister of State for Food and Civil Supplies and held the chairmanship of the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority’s Mumbai division. He began his political journey as a student leader, eventually rising to become a three-time MLA representing the Bandra West constituency.

His resignation comes amidst rumours of a potential switch to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar. This speculation arose after Siddique and his son, MLA Zeeshan Siddique, met with Pawar earlier this month.

While Siddique refrained from elaborating on his reasons for leaving the INC, he expressed gratitude for his journey with the party in a social media post. “There’s a lot I would have liked to express, but as they say, some things are better left unsaid,” he wrote.