Strongman To Bollywood Mediator, Baba Siddique Beyond Lavish Iftar Parties

Mumbai: 

Baba Siddique, a strongman known for his political acumen and role in bridging the divide between Bollywood’s biggest stars, was shot dead last night. Mr Siddique, 66, a former MLA from Bandra West and a prominent figure in Maharashtra’s political circles, was gunned down outside his son Zeeshan Siddique’s office in Bandra East.

The incident, which unfolded around 9:30 pm, saw Mr Siddique and his associate targeted by assailants who fired multiple rounds, fatally striking the politician in the chest. Hours after the shooting, the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility for the assassination. Born Ziauddin Siddique, Baba Siddique’s rise in politics mirrored Mumbai’s tumultuous socio-political landscape. Beginning his journey in the Congress party during his teenage years in 1977, Mr Siddique quickly ascended through the ranks, becoming a key figure within the Bandra Taluka Youth Congress by 1980. His close association with veteran Congress leader Sunil Dutt paved the way for Mr Siddique to secure his first electoral victory as an MLA from Bandra West in 1999, a seat he successfully defended for three consecutive terms.