Why Baba Siddique exit deals a blow to Mumbai Congress, boosts Ajit Pawar NCP

In a setback to the Mumbai Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha elections,its high-profile face from the upscale Bandra belt, Baba Siddique, resigned from the party on Thursday.

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 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