Senior Muslim Politician Baba Siddique Shot Dead in Mumbai Ahead of Elections

Baba Siddique, a prominent Muslim politician and three-time legislator in Maharashtra, was shot dead outside his son’s office in Mumbai on Saturday night, just weeks before crucial state elections, Al Jazeera reported today.

The 66-year-old succumbed to his injuries at Lilavati Hospital shortly after the attack. Siddique, who had a long association with the Congress party, recently joined the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), part of the ruling coalition in Maharashtra.

The shooting has raised concerns about gang violence, with police investigating links to the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Following reported death threats, Siddique’s security detail had been upgraded prior to the incident. Two suspects have been arrested, while authorities are on the lookout for a third individual. Maharashtra’s assembly elections are set to take place in November, heightening tensions in the political landscape following this shocking act of violence.