Zeeshan Siddique: ‘MVA told me they would not oppose me out of respect for my father… But Sena-UBT fielded a candidate’

What happened on the night of October 12?

Life has changed since October 12. That night, dad and I were sitting in my office and discussing our schedule for the following day.

He (Baba Siddique) never really came to my office, so it was rare. And then I told him that I was going nearby and just coming back. I asked if he had any work with me… He said no. He said he would leave for home and meet me for dinner.

I was at a nearby restaurant — ordering dinner — when I got a call from a close associate. He (the associate) screamed, ‘Baba Bhai pe firing hui hai (Baba bhai has been shot at).’

I ran towards my office. I don’t really remember how I reached the hospital because I was in a very bad state. I first asked the guard what had happened. He was clueless. And then I saw there was a lot of blood. And doctors were trying to carry on with the treatment. After a few hours, the doctor said he was no more.

For the first few days, I was not in a state of mind to think anything. I was crying, I was in a bad state. My father never got any threats from anyone… I was very angry also at what happened. Why my father?… Then there are other things, like talking to the police, the commissioner… It has been so many days, but we have not got the answers we really deserve.

You made a few suggestions to the police?

I asked them why the security (for Baba Siddique) was not increased. There were rumours in May about firing near my house. Who caused the rumours? There is no smoke without fire, right? So, why was my father’s security not increased after that? Why did the guards not react? Why has the guy (the main person) not been found yet? What was the intelligence doing, if they (the accused) were doing recce for a month? Lots of things are there. I asked lots of questions.

The name of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang has come up…

I feel like before dad reached the hospital, a narrative was being spread. And I do not know what is true and what is not true. But I just feel like all angles should be taken into consideration. And people should not be misled. If all angles are taken into consideration, I’m sure justice will prevail.

Some believe Bishnoi wanted to target Salman Khan, and attacked Siddique because of his close friendship with the actor…

No, I don’t think so. I think there is a larger picture to this. And Salman bhai has always been family, and he always will be family. Even after this tragic incident, he always checks on me. And I’m grateful to him for that. I just feel like there is a larger picture in this. And there’s something that needs to be found out. I hope that justice will prevail soon. He (Salman Khan) is a large-hearted person… Whatever is happening is making me stronger, and him stronger… I am sure that with the love and blessings he has from across the world, he will overcome this.

Do you think sympathy factor will benefit you in this election?

My father always lived his life like a lion. And I have his blood running through my veins. I have to continue the fight that he did. He fought for houses for the poor. He fought for their rights. And that is the fight that I need to take forward.

You are now part of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, which is a BJP-led NDA ally. Do you think your core Muslim voters will support you?

Yes, I am confident that people will vote for the amount of work I have done in my constituency. I will go to the people of Vandra (Bandra) East. I will ask for votes on the name of my work. They have seen the sacrifices my family has made for the people. I will definitely win by a record margin of votes.

You are up against the Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Varun Sardesai… You had a long association with that party… Do you feel a sense of betrayal? Did you expect their support?

I was not in the right frame of mind to even think about anything. But Maha Vikas Aaghadi (MVA) leaders came to my house and told me that they were with me and my father’s legacy… They said that as a mark of respect, they would let me contest unopposed. They came with the proposal, but then kept me in the dark… One fine day, the Shiv Sena-UBT just released its candidate’s name. I was taken aback. The MVA have always been hypocrites and it’s nothing new for them to act like this. I just felt hurt that at a time like this, in a time of grief, they tried to play with my feelings…

Why did you leave the Congress?

I was always unhappy with the way Congress treated me and the way Shiv Sena (UBT) kept torturing me (during MVA rule) by not giving me funds. The Congress wanted me to contest from Versova, or Byculla, but I said no, I have given my time, my efforts, my love, my energy to the people of Bandra East, and I will contest from only here.

Reports keep coming of threats to you. Do these hamper your campaign?

More than the threats, it is tough for a son to live without his father. I am dealing with that, and I can deal with this. There were reports that they (the attackers) had come to shoot both of us (the day Siddique was killed)… The fact that I am alive today… I believe that my father in his last moments also protected me. I am here to continue the fight that he was fighting. For that, I need to take all the safety measures as well.