Baba Siddique, a senior Mumbai politician, was shot dead in Bandra East Saturday evening by three unidentified assailants. He was 66. The Mumbai Police have detained two individuals in connection with the incident and the case has been handed over to the crime branch.
The former Maharashtra minister was rushed to Lilavati Hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. The firing occurred outside the office of his MLA son, Zeeshan Siddiqui, an official said. “Two to three rounds were fired,” he added.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said,: “Ex-minister Baba Siddique has died in an unfortunate firing incident. two people have been arrested. One is from Haryana and one from Uttar Pradesh. The third is absconding. We will ensure that all guilty are arrested.”
The Opposition, however, reacted to Siddique’s death by condemning the ‘deteriorating’ law and order situation in the state. Leader of Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar said: “It is unfortunate that former minister Baba Siddique was shot dead despite giving Y-level security. We have been warning about the growing criminal activities in Mumbai but those were not taken seriously. Mumbai was silent but such incidents are growing. This government has been supporting criminals and we demand that a detailed probe should be conducted.”
Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar has left Pune for Mumbai following the killing of his party leader Baba Siddique. Ajit Pawar leads the NCP faction that Siddique joined after quitting the Congress party. Siddique was shot dead outside his son Zeeshan's office in Bandra East.
Maharashtra LoP Vijay Wadettiwar, said: "It is unfortunate that former minister Baba Siddique was shot dead despite giving Y-level security. We have been warning about the growing criminal activities in Mumbai but those were not taken seriously. Mumbai was silent but such incidents are growing. This government has been supporting criminals and we demand that a detailed probe should be conducted."
NCP Leader and Rajya Sabha MP Praful Patel said: "Deeply shocked and saddened to learn about the demise of senior NCP leader Baba Siddique Ji. This cowardly and heinous crime must be strongly condemned, and those responsible should not be spared. My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time. May his soul rest in peace."
NCP (SP) supremo Sharad Pawar on Saturday said it was an alarming situation in the state: "The collapse of law and order in Maharashtra is worrying. It is extremely sad that former minister Baba Siddique was shot. If the ruling side and Home Minister are going to run the government with this softness then it is an alarming sign. It doesn't even need a probe but ruling side should take up the responsibility and leave the post. I express my condolences to the family members of Baba Siddique. "
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde speaks on the death of NCP leader Baba Siddiqui.
VIDEO | Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde (@mieknathshinde) speaks on shooting at NCP leader Baba Siddiqui.
An unidentified person fired at and injured Baba Siddiqui of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP in Mumbai's Bandra East on Saturday evening. The firing took place outside his MLA son… pic.twitter.com/8vnNuZZqR2
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 12, 2024
Maharashtra Home Minister and Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis along with senior police officials arrive at Lilavati Hospital where NCP leader was admitted.
VIDEO | Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) arrives at Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai where NCP leader Baba Siddiqui is admitted after he was shot at earlier today.
An unidentified person fired at and injured Siddiqui in Mumbai's Bandra East earlier today. The… pic.twitter.com/BrypcgJpuv
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 12, 2024
Maharashtra Home Minister and Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis along with senior police officials reach Lilavati Hospital.
#watchpic.twitter.com/U0CN9utrCS
— ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2024
Former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh expressed his condolences, saying, "I offer my condolences to Mr. Siddiqui's family. He was shot despite having Y-category security. This speaks volumes about the state of law and order in Maharashtra."
BJP leader Kirit Somaiya also expressed his condolences, saying, "Baba Siddique's murder is a matter of concern. The government should make a special team and investigate this. It seems to be a huge conspiracy. Strict action should be taken..."
Maharashtra LoP Vijay Wadettiwar said, "It is unfortunate that former minister Baba Siddique was shot dead despite giving Y-level security. We have been warning about the growing criminal activities in Mumbai but those were not taken seriously. Mumbai was silent but such incidents are growing. This government has been supporting criminals and we demand that a detailed probe should be conducted."
Following the attack on NCP leader Baba Siddique, Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey stated, said, "If former MLAs are not safe in our city Mumbai, if leaders of the government are not safe then how will this government protect the common people? If they cannot keep their MLAs and former ministers safe then Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis should resign. He has no right to continue as the Home Minister. Eknath Shinde has no right to continue as the CM of the state.
Siddique was shot dead in Bandra outside his MLA son, Zeeshan Siddiqui, near Colgate Ground in Nirmal Nagar.
#watchpic.twitter.com/beP0MEeuQK
— ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2024
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray paid homage to the late industrialist Ratan Tata at the party's annual Dussehra rally at Shivaji Park in Dadar, Mumbai.
We are sorry that Tata has gone from us. And we are sorry that those who are pocketing Mumbai's land parcels are not going, he said.
Preparations underway for Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray)'s Dussehra rally, at Shivaji Park in Mumbai.
#watch | Maharashtra: Preparations are underway for Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray)'s Dussehra rally, at Shivaji Park in Mumbai. pic.twitter.com/an5teVO4rCThe City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) has officially announced a mass scheme that will provide 26,502 housing units to residents of Navi Mumbai. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde unveiled this initiative to address the growing demand for affordable housing in the state under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana for the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and Low Income Group (LIG).
Starting Saturday, October 12 at 11 am, online registration for the CIDCO housing scheme is open. Read more.
Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole issued a statement suspending Sulbha Khodke, party MLA From Amaravati for indulging in anti-party activities.
There were numerous complaints about Khodke working against the party, said state Congress chief Nana Patole in a statement, as per news agency PTI.
Khodke is likely to join Ajit Pawar led NCP in coming week.
Mumbai Police have booked four members of a family that owns a jewellery company in the city for allegedly duping an Ahmedabad-based businessman to the tune of Rs 1.3 crore. The N M Joshi Marg police are investigating the matter.
The accused persons, Rishabh Pahuja, Prakash Pahuja and Chirag Pahuja, directors of Tikamdas Jewellers Private Limited, and Dipika Pahuja, have been booked for allegedly defrauding the complainant businessman, Dhruvesh Patel, 53, an Ahmedabad-based businessman who has a second-hand car-selling business. Read more.
Several people paid their last respects to Agniveer Vishvarajsinh Gohil whose mortal remains were received with military honours on Saturday in his native Anchvad village in Gujarat's Rajkot district.
Gohil and another Agniveer died during a field firing exercise in Maharashtra's Nashik district, an official said on Friday.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya paid tributes to the 20-year-old gunner. Mandaviya attended the wreath-laying ceremony held in Anchvad village along with MLAs Jayesh Radadiya and Bhanuben Babariya.
Several people paid their last respects to Gohil in Anchvad where a casket carrying his body wrapped in the tricolour arrived.
Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey termed Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led faction as a "duplicate" and said that Uddhav Thackeray has worked for the honour of Maharashtra while others have backstabbed and have been the servitors of Delhi.
Dubey said, "Today, two (Dussehra) rallies are taking place in Mumbai - one, of the real Shiv Sena and the other, of the duplicate Shiv Sena. The real Shiv Sena is taking place at Shivtirth, like every year.
Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray can't be compared to any other Shiv Sainik or any other duplicate Shiv Sainik.
He has worked for the honour and character of Maharashtra. Others have backstabbed Maharashtra and have been the servitors of Delhi."
"In a month or two, the duplicate Shiv Sena will not be seen anywhere. There will be just one Shiv Sena," Dubey added.
In a show of strength, two Shiv Sena's led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Sena UBT president Uddhav Thackeray gear up for the two Dussehra rallies in Mumbai on Saturday.
Both the rallies would be held in Mumbai simultaneously on Saturday evening and both Uddhav and Shinde are expected to take potshots at each other.
While Shinde led Sena's rally would be held at Azad Maidan, Uddhav led Sena UBT's rally would be held Shivaji Park ground in Dadar.
Both the leaders are expected sound a poll bugle through the rallies and over lakh of Sainiks are expected to gather in each rally.
According to Sena UBT functionary, the preparations have been going on for the rallies for the past two weeks in full swing and thousands of Sena workers from across the state would be gathering to listen to Uddhav.
Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Nirupam says, "Dussehra rally of Shiv Sena has a historic context. For years, the Shiv Sena chief, Balasaheb Thackeray addressed Dussehra rallies. He used to convey his ideas about Hindutva to Shiv Sainiks. Especially, he used to criticise Congress' appeasement policy and its communal approach in the name of secularism.
Today, the situation is such that Uddhav Thackeray has aligned with Congress and has given up Hindutva. In Shivaji Park, if he speaks, he won't be able to talk about Hindutva as if he will talk about Hindutva, his Muslim vote bank will be disturbed...
The place where the ideas of Balasaheb Thackeray will be expressed freely and truly is Azad Maidan and Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde will address that rally. There, he will express Shiv Sena chief's ideas about Hindutva..." said Nirupam.
To maximise its outreach and appeal among Maharashtra’s Other Backward Classes (OBCs), the Mahayuti government has made a recommendation to the Centre to raise the income limit for the “non-creamy layer” from Rs 8 lakh to Rs 15 lakh per annum.
A “non-creamy layer” certificate, states that the annual family income of a person is below the prescribed limit, is needed to avail of reservation benefits in the OBC category.
The state government made this recommendation Thursday at a cabinet meeting headed by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
The proposal will have to be cleared by the Centre before it can be implemented.
The Ladki Bahin scheme, launched by the ruling Eknath Shinde-led Mahayuti coalition in July, provides a direct benefit transfer of Rs 1,500 per month to women aged 21-65 years from families with annual income below Rs 2.5 lakh.
The story is of 43-year-old from Nagzari village in Maharashtra’s Latur district who has her hands full as an agricultural labourer, beginning with harvesting of soyabean this month. It will be followed by planting of sugarcane in November-December, for which she had “advance booking” from farmers in Latur and the neighbouring Dharashiv (formerly Osmanabad) district.
Mahesh Kandalgaonkar, former mayor of Ubatha group of Malvan in Maharashtra joined the Shiv Sena along with his numerous workers on Saturday. Siv Sena leader and Maharashtra CM, Eknath Shinde announced on his X profile.
On Saturday, the Shiv Sena and the Shiv Sena (UBT) will look to reassert their political might in Mumbai. Unlike the 2022 and 2023 Dussehra showdowns that began on an acrimonious note with both parties fighting for the same historic Shivaji Park venue and moving the high court, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has decided to avoid conflict by holding this year’s rally at Azad Maidan in South Mumbai.
Leaders of both parties are unlikely to mince words during their public addresses. In fact, speaking to party workers this week, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said, “I will speak my mind on issues confronting Maharashtra and people at our annual Dussehra rally. The goldsmith strikes 100 times but the blacksmith strikes only once.”
"This is all a stunt for the (upcoming Assembly) elections. The government's people have bought land there, and they are just pretending to fly planes to increase the land prices, so they can sell it later.
Basically, they are working as the contractors," says Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut at a press conference in Mumbai on Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Friday witnessing the trial landing of an IAF aircraft at the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport in Ulwe.
In a first, the Maharashtra government has drawn a policy regarding screening of films, short-films, documentaries etc. in schools which are considered part of e-education material.
While not more than three films can be shown in a year, two out of those have to be in Marathi, whereas all will require permission from the office of Commissioner of Education. Read more.
Veteran actor Sayaji Shinde on Friday joined the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party.
The actor will be the party's star campaigner for the Maharashtra assembly elections, expected to be held next month, said Ajit Pawar.
"Shinde will be given due respect in the party," he added.
(PTI)
If the runaway was ready, then they (Maharashtra government) would have inaugurated the entire airport,” said Aaditya Thackeray on the inaugural landing of IAF’s C-295 aircraft at Navi Mumbai International Airport earlier today.
With a large crowd expected for the Dussehra rally at Azad Maidan in CST, organised by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, on Saturday, the Mumbai Traffic Police on Friday announced traffic diversions for roads leading to the venue and surrounding areas to ensure smooth vehicular movement.
Read more about the alternate routes in the city.
Two Agniveers were killed during a firing practice at the Artillery Centre in Maharashtra's Nasik district, police said on Friday.
The incident occurred when a shell from an Indian field gun exploded during practice.
Agniveers Gohil Vishwaraj Singh (20) and Saifat Shit (21) were killed in the blast, the official said.
(With PTI inputs)
Noel Tata appointed as chairman of the Tata group’s philanthropic arm Tata Trusts, media channel CNBC TV18 reported on Friday.
He will be succeeding his half brother Ratan who died earlier this week at the age of 86.
Following the industrialist’s death, Noel Tata was seen as a strong contender to succeed the Tata legacy due to his familial ties and involvement in many group companies.
Tata Trusts
Ajit Pawar addresses a program in Nasik's district Sinnar at the launch of various developmental projects. NCP's Manikrao Kokate is an MLA from Sinnar.
Pawar addressing the 'farmer meeting said, "If you want Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme to continue, then ensure that Mahayuti returns to power in Maharashtra."
He further stated, "Wherever you get clock symbol, push the button. If you have bow and arrow or lotus, push that symbol. If you want to get the benefits of this continuously then do ensure that the Mahayuti government comes to power...the central government is of the ideology of ours. If we get to power here, it will be easier to ask for money from the center for various schemes and projects,"
The Navi Mumbai International Airport successfully conducted the trial landing of an aircraft with the touchdown of an Airbus C295 plane on Friday.
The Indian Air Force transport carrier C295 landed at the Southern runway 26 of the airport at 12.14 pm, according to the airport operator.
Water canon salute was accorded to the aircraft.
The airport, being developed by the Adani Group, is expected to start commercial operations early next year.
Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty
Kaluram Dodhade, an activist from Maharashtra's Palghar district who had fought for the rights of tribals, has died in a Mumbai hospital after a prolonged illness, his family said on Friday. He was 86.
Dodhade, whom tribals fondly called ‘Kaluram Kaka', had taken part in several agitations for various causes, including against the transfer of tribal land to non-tribals, for over five decades and even faced arrests, they said.
A recent ‘Adivasi Mahasammelan' (large gathering of tribals) in Palghar celebrated his lifelong commitment to tribal unity, they added.
(With PTI inputs)
Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president Ajit Pawar will address a press conference on Friday amid speculation over the party’s stand ahead of the upcoming Assembly polls in the state. NCP national working president Praful Patel and state president Sunil Tatkare will also attend the press meet.
“He will make a big announcement regarding upcoming Assembly elections,” the NCP said on Friday.
While there is speculation about Pawar not being too happy in the ruling Mahayuti alliance, party sources said the press conference could be related to some big political leader joining the party.
The announcement comes in the wake of speculation about Ajit Pawar and his party planning to contest the Assembly elections independently, without joining hands with the BJP and the Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
Sources within the party said that Pawar is likely to announce his strategy going into the state election.
Tensions between Pawar and Shinde have been simmering for a while now. Additionally, a section of the BJP also wants Pawar out of the Mahayuti alliance as they claim he is not bringing additional votes to the party.
The Ajit Pawar-headed finance department has made negative remarks on several cabinet proposals seeking funding or loan guarantees from the state government. There are also instances where the cabinet has overruled the finance department’s remarks and cleared the decisions.
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