Former Indian minister and member of the NCP’s Ajit Pawar faction, Baba Siddique, was shot dead in his son’s office in Mumbai, Indian media reported on Saturday evening.
The incident took place around 9:30 p.m. local time when three bullets were fired at Siddique in the office of his son Zeeshan, who is also Bandra East MP, Indian media reported citing sources.
The ex-minister was transferred to hospital but could not survive.
After being informed, the police rushed to the crime scene and arrested two people on suspicion.
“The incident is extremely unfortunate. Two people have been arrested, one from Uttar Pradesh and one from Haryana, while another is on the run,” Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said.
“I have asked the police to take strict action and ensure that no one takes law and order into their hands. A situation bordering on a gang war should not resurface in Mumbai. »
Siddique, a three-time MP from Bandra West, was associated with the Congress for 48 years and had left the party in February to join Ajit Pawar’s NCP.
The firing took place during the Dussehra festival and came months before the Maharashtra Assembly elections, which are expected to take place later this year. NDTV reported.
Expressing shock, NCP spokesperson Brijmohan Shrivastav said Siddique had not shared any threats with anyone.
Siddique was elected MP from Bandra West constituency in 1999, 2004 and 2009 and served as Minister of State for Food and Civil Supplies, Labor and FDA between 2004 and 2008.