Baba Siddique Joins Ajit Pawar’s NCP Shortly After Exiting Congress

Baba Siddique, a prominent figure in both Maharashtra politics and Bollywood, made headlines on Saturday by officially joining Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). This move comes just days after Siddique announced his departure from the Congress party, marking the end of a 48-year association. While speculation had been rife about Siddique’s intentions to join the NCP, the official announcement was made on February 10th during a significant event.

Baba Siddique joins NCP

The timing of Siddique’s switch holds significance, particularly in the context of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and its implications for the BJP. The Election Commission’s recognition of Ajit Pawar’s faction as the legitimate NCP further underscores the political landscape’s shifting dynamics. Ajit Pawar’s prior defection from Sharad Pawar’s NCP to join forces with the Sena-BJP alliance last year adds another layer of complexity to this development.

In his statement, Siddique expressed gratitude for his decades-long association with the Indian National Congress but chose not to elaborate further on his decision. His departure marks the second major setback for the Congress party ahead of the elections, following Milind Deora’s recent defection to Eknath Shinde’s Sena faction over seat-sharing disagreements.

In the upcoming Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra, the Congress will be part of the INDIA bloc, aligning with the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray-led Shiv Sena and the Sharad Pawar faction of the NCP. Siddique’s political career has been illustrious, having served as an MLA for three consecutive terms and holding various ministerial positions, including Minister of State for Food and Civil Supplies, Labour, and FDA.

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Moreover, his contributions extend to municipal governance and party leadership roles, highlighting his multifaceted involvement in Maharashtra’s political landscape. Siddique’s transition to the NCP signifies a significant realignment in the state’s political dynamics, with potential implications for the upcoming electoral contest.