Maharashtra Cabinet Pays Tributes to Murdered NCP Leader Baba Siddique with Full State Honours
Maharashtra Cabinet pays tribute to murdered NCP leader Baba Siddique with full state honours. Maharashtra mourns Baba Siddique Death. Paying a rich tribute, the Maharashtra Cabinet remembered former minister and nationalist Congress Party leader Baba Siddique, who was tragically murdered outside his son’s office in Bandra, Mumbai. There was shock over the untimely death of Siddique. The official response of the state government was to observe minute’s silence in his memory that gives an indicator to show how much he has contributed to the state. Siddique was one of the most important figures in the politics of Maharashtra and so, he received a state funeral.
The Bloody Tragedy: Shot Dead, Baba Siddique
A Sat Motivated Saturday morning, on the third day of Ganeshotsav, three men shot dead a known leader of the Nationalist Congress Party, Baba Siddique, outside the MLA office of his son Zeeshan Siddique on a housing board colony in Bandra, Mumbai. The attack has taken place at such a time when talks were rife about heightened political violence in the state.
Siddiqui’s input into the politics of Maharashtra were gargantuan as he was a Minister of State in various departments and the Chairman of the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority, or MHADA. His killing has clearly left an assured vacuum in the political arena of Maharashtra but more so for the NCP.
State’s Response: Maharashtra Cabinet Calls For Silent Protest
The Maharashtra Cabinet had already accepted the condemnation of the tragic event when it witnessed a 2-minute silence in the official meeting. It was respect towards Siddique, who had carried out his duties in the state over the years diligently.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde ensured that the legacy of Siddique would have a befitting tribute when he announced that Siddique would receive a state funeral-a practice traditionally reserved for those with a significant contribution to public life.
It was performed at Bada Qabrastan, near Marine Lines, in the presence of political activists, sympathizers, and his family members. He was even accorded full state honours in the coffin after the burial itself. This confirms that the government did recognize the services to Maharashtra.
Investigation and Arrests: The Hunt for the Culprits
In response, the Mumbai Police quickly launched an investigation into the incident of slaying Baba Siddique by arresting several people behind the plot. In fact, just two of the three shooters who had killed Siddique were arrested at first.
The first two accused, Gurmail Singh and Dharamraj Kashyap were sent to the Esplanade Court of Mumbai where they were remanded to police custody till October 21. It has been learnt that both men had, in fact played an active role in carrying out the murder.
The breakthrough finally came on Sunday with the arrest of the third accused, Pravin Lonkar, from Pune. The investigators claim that Lonkar was one of the master conspirators behind the plot to murder Siddique. Lonkar had indeed employed the services of Dharmaraj Kashyap and Shivkumar Gautam while committting the murder. Gautam, however still absconding.
The police are doing all they can for Shivkumar Gautam, whom they believe is the third assassin who has gone underground. The law enforcing agencies feel that an arrest of Gautam would clear much more about the motive of the assassination.
Life in service: Baba Siddique ENS
He was a politician and served full time in public service. Baba Siddique then manned several important positions in the Maharashtra government, a stint that placed him in the rank of Minister of State. He worked with the MHADA that seemed to reflect a commitment more to housing infrastructural development across the state, particularly for low-income groups.
Despite the senseless assassin, Siddique’s qualities of people connect and leadership personality had earned him great respect not only within the NCP but also across the political spectrum. The murder has shaken the political circles, sending ripples of shock and grief among his supporters and colleagues, who are now seeking justice.
Son Zeeshan Siddique, a legislator in his own right, cannot afford to be remorseless either. He now has the task of completing the political lineage of his father when he would be fighting for justice in what has been termed a ghastly murder case.
Political Reactions: Condemnation and Calls for Justice
Condemnations have flowed in in the wake of the murder of Baba Siddique from Maharashtra political leaders. Leaders of Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress, and BJP had pointed fingers to the killing and urged a need for speedy justice on the matter.
This kind of violence has no place in a democratic society, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said, quoting the news agency PTI. He condoled Siddique’s family and said Baba Siddique had done great work for the state and he will be missed deeply.
Grief and condolences came in from the top leadership of the NCP, with Sharad Pawar terming Siddique as a “committed leader” who had “always worked for the welfare of people”. He was calling for swift police action to put the guilty behind bars by saying this was an attack on democracy .
Conclusion: A Loss for Maharashtra Politics
Baba Siddique’s assassination has made a very deep impact on the political scenario in Maharashtra. A committed leader, who has been serving the state for many years, is left behind- not just loss for his family but also a loss for the NCP and the broader political community.
The prompt actions of the Mumbai Police, who have already arrested two prime suspects and are chasing down the third, clearly reflect the seriousness with which the entire machinery of law enforcement is taking up this case. The police are working carefully to arrive at each and every detail of the conspiracy involved in the murder.
With the heart-broken Maharashtra mourning the passing away of a respected leader, the politicians and citizens await the final deliverance with justice and an end to the wheel of violence that is moving in a great big circle without showing any signs of a break. Baba Siddique’s legacy in public service is well set, but the untimely death is stark in contrast as a reminder of the challenges and dangers that still reign in the world of politics.
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