Page 8 - Ncp

Killers of my father 'turned their sight on me': Baba Siddique's son

Zeeshan Siddique, son of slain NCP politician Baba Siddique, on Sunday, stated that the killers of his father "turned their sight" on him but he can't be intimidated. "They silenced my father. But they forget - he was a lion and I carry his roar within me, his fight in my veins. He stood for justice, fought for change and withstood the storms with unwavering courage. "Now, those who brought him down turn their sights on me assuming they've won, to them I declare: The blood of a lion runs in my veins. I am still here, unafraid and unbroken. They took one, but I rise in his place. This fight is far from over. Today, I stand where he stood : ALIVE, RELENTLESS and READY. To my people of Vandre East, I am always with you (sic)," he stated on X. Former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique was fatally shot, prima facie by three persons, near the office of Zeeshan Siddique in Bandra area of Mumbai on October 12 night. Police have so far arrested 10 persons and looking for the main shooter an

5 arrested accused initially sought Rs 50 lakh for Siddique murder: Police

Five accused arrested in connection with NCP leader Baba Siddique murder case the day before had demanded Rs 50 lakh for the job, but backed out later due to disagreement over payment and also considering the slain politician's clout, officials said. The five accused, residents of various areas of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, had prima facie provided logistical support to the shooters and were paid Rs 5 lakh, a crime branch official said on Saturday. They were identified as Nitin Gautam Sapre (32), Sambhaji Kisan Pardhi (44), Pradeep Dattu Thombre (37), Chetan Dilip Pardhi and Ram Fulchand Kanoujia (43). Sapre is from Dombivali, while Pardhi, Thombre and Pardhi (27) are from Ambernath in Thane district. Kanoujia is a resident of Panvel in Raigad, police said. According to crime branch officials, except Thombre, four others have criminal backgrounds. "The interrogation by police revealed that the Sapre-led module had demanded Rs 50 lakh from the mediator to kill Baba Siddique. Bu

If Sanjay Raut is controlling Uddhav, that's their issue: Maha Cong chief

Patole also said that Sanjay Raut was the leader of Uddhav Thackeray and Patole's leaders were Malikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi and the leader of NCP (SCP) was Sharad Pawar

Sena (UBT), NCP (SP) conclude seat-sharing talks as issues resolved: Raut

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Saturday said the seat-sharing talks between his party and the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) have concluded as these two parties are driven by a desire and mindset to resolve issues. His remark is apparently targeted at the third Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) partner Congress again, a day after he expressed disappointment over the delay in the seat-sharing talks in the alliance and accused the Maharashtra Congress leaders of being incapable of making decisions. Talking to reporters, Raut said the current national politics is being driven by regional parties and his party's stand is that they must get space in their respective states. He said Narendra Modi became the Prime Minister of the country with the help of regional parties like Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and Janata Dal (United) (JD-U). There is a majority of regional parties in the INDIA bloc, he added. The Rajya Sabha member also said that Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav spoke to Shiv Sena

5 arrested accused sought Rs 50 lakh for Siddique's killing: Police

The Mumbai police probing the Baba Siddique murder case have found that the five newly-arrested accused had demanded Rs 50 lakh for the killing, but backed out later due to disagreement over payment and also considering the NCP leader's clout, officials said. They, however, provided logistical and other support to those involved in shooting the former MLA dead, they said. The city police's crime branch on Friday held the five accused for allegedly providing firearms and logistical support to the shooters of Baba Siddique, taking the total number of arrests in the case to nine. Three key persons are on the run. They were identified as Nitin Gautam Sapre (32), Sambhaji Kisan Pardhi (44), Pradeep Dattu Thombre (37), Chetan Dilip Pardhi and Ram Fulchand Kanoujia (43). Sapre is from Dombivali, while Pardhi, Thombre and Pardhi (27) are from Ambernath in Thane district. Kanoujia is a resident of Panvel in Raigad, police said. "During their interrogation, the police found that the module l

Raut disappointed with MVA seat-sharing delays, criticises Congress leaders

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Friday expressed disappointment over the delay in the seat-sharing talks among MVA partners and claimed that Maharashtra Congress leaders are not capable of making decisions. Talking to reporters, Raut said Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) partners Congress, Sena (UBT) and NCP (SP) have reached a consensus on 200 of the 288 assembly seats. The Rajya Sabha member said he spoke to Congress general secretaries K C Venugopal and Mukul Wasnik and the party's Maharashtra in-charge Ramesh Chennithala on Friday morning over seat-sharing. The Sena (UBT) leader said he would also speak to top Congress leader Rahul Gandhi later in the day. The pending decision should be expedited. Very little time is left. Maharashtra Congress leaders are not capable of making decisions. They have to send the list to Delhi frequently and then discussions happen. The decision will have to be taken at the earliest, Raut said. Late on Thursday evening, Maharashtra Congress president

Consensus in MVA on 200 out of 288 Assembly seats in state: Sharad Pawar

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday said the three Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allies have so far arrived at a consensus on 200 assembly seats in Maharashtra out of the total 288 for the next month's elections. Speaking to reporters at Karad in Maharashtra's Satara district, he said the results of Haryana polls, where the Congress suffered a drubbing at the hands of the BJP, will not have any bearing on the elections in Maharashtra. "I am not directly involved in the seat-sharing discussions. (NCP-SP state unit chief) Jayant Patil is representing our party in the talks. As per the information he shared, an understanding has been reached on approximately 200 out of the total 288 seats," he said in response to a question. Asked about which seats in Satara district that the NCP (SP) will demand, he said a decision on seat-sharing will be taken by Patil. Elections in Maharashtra will be held on November 20, while the counting of votes will take place on November 23. The MVA, comprisin

Haryana results won't have bearing on Maharashtra polls: Sharad Pawar

NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday said the results of Haryana polls, where the BJP retained power by defeating the Congress, will not have any bearing on the next month's Maharashtra assembly elections. He noted that the results of Jammu and Kashmir polls were significant from the country's perspective as the union territory garners more attention globally. Speaking to reporters at Karad in Satara district, Pawar also said that with the unveiling of the new Lady of Justice statue, Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud has shown a new direction as nobody else earlier thought of making the changes. Responding to a query about the INDIA bloc's strategy after the Congress's defeat in the Haryana assembly elections, Pawar said the BJP was ruling that state and it managed to retain power. "We are studying Haryana, but at the same time look at the results of Jammu and Kashmir (polls). I do not think that it (Haryana results) will have any bearing on the state's (Maharashtra's

People want Jayant to take responsibility of rebuilding state: Sharad Pawar

Hinting at a bigger role for Maharashtra NCP (SP) president Jayant Patil after the next month's assembly elections, party chief Sharad Pawar on Wednesday said it was everyone's wish that Patil should take "responsibility to rebuild the state." Speaking at the concluding rally of 'Shiv Swarajya Yatra' campaign of the party at Islampur in Sangli district, Jayant Patil's hometurf, Pawar said several freedom fighters from this region played a big role in the freedom movement, and it is the responsibility of everyone to create the Maharashtra of their dreams. "I am very happy the way Jayant Patil is working towards this goal, he is reaching out to every corner of the state, giving confidence to the people. I am sure that the new generation of the state will rally behind him," Pawar said. "It is yours, mine and entire Maharashtra's wish that Jayant Patil should take the responsibility to rebuild the state and for that your power is needed," the veteran politician added. Pawar further ..

CM Shinde slams Maha Vikas Aghadi as he presents his govt's 'report card'

Ahead of the Maharashtra assembly polls, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Wednesday accused the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi of working with an anti-development vision, as he along with allies presented a "report card" of his government's work. Putting up a united face, Shinde addressed a joint press conference here along with Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar and Union minister Ramdas Athawale, a day after the Election Commission announced the state poll schedule. Fadnavis said the seat-sharing discussions among the ruling allies were in the final stages. The Mahayuti allies presented a "report card" of the government's work in the last two years, as Shinde, Fadnavis and Pawar accused the opposition of creating a "fake narrative". Flaunting the "report card" which compared the work done by the previous Maha Vikas Aghadi dispensation and the current Mahayuti government, Shinde said the ruling alliance was ready to go to the people's court. "The opposition Maha Vikas Aghdi

Maharashtra elections: Coastal belt's 75 seats crucial for power shift

The serene coastal belt of Maharashtra, including Mumbai, offers an interesting backdrop for a showdown between Mahayuti and MVA alliances in the next month's assembly elections, especially between two rival Shiv Senas. The most urbanised and industrial region, including the Mumbai metropolitan area, sends 75 MLAs to the assembly and 12 members to Lok Sabha. The coastal Konkan division in Maharashtra, spread from Sindhudurg to Mumbai, also covers Palghar, Thane, Raigad and Ratnagiri districts. Voting will be held on all 288 assembly constituencies in Maharashtra on November 20 and results will be declared on November 23. In the recent Lok Sabha polls, the Mahayuti alliance of Shiv Sena, BJP, and NCP, bagged seven seats. The BJP triumphed in Palghar, Ratnagiri-Sindhudurg, and Mumbai North, while the NCP, led by Ajit Pawar, had a face-saver in Raigad where its leader Sunil Tatkare retained his seat. In the upcoming polls, former Union Minister Narayan Rane, who won the ...

Mahayuti govt has spent its last days bestowing gifts on Adani Group: Cong

The Congress on Tuesday claimed that the Mahayuti government in Maharashtra knows it is not coming back to power and has spent its last few days allegedly bestowing "gifts" on the Adani group at the expense of the people of Mumbai and the state. Ahead of the announcement of the Maharashtra Assembly polls schedule, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said the instructions from the top are clear -- "the Mahayuti's electoral future is bleak, but before it loses power, it must safeguard Modani's financial future". "The ECI is expected to announce the Maharashtra Assembly Elections today at 3:30 PM. A desperate Mahayuti knowing it is not coming back to power has spent its last few days bestowing gifts to Modani at the expense of the people of Mumbai and Maharashtra," Ramesh said in a post on X. Listing the alleged favours to the conglomerate, Ramesh said, "September 15 2024: Modani wins energy contract to supply 6,600 MW power to Maharashtra at inflated ...

Siddique murder: Cops search for 3rd shooter who flaunted 'gangster' status

Police have scoured places of worship in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain and Khandwa in their hunt for the third shooter wanted in connection with the killing of NCP leader Baba Siddique. Six rounds were fired on Baba Siddique, two of which hit the former Maharashtra minister on the chest, outside his MLA son Zeeshan Siddique's office in Mumbai's Nirmal Nagar between 9.15 pm and 9.30 pm on Saturday. Police have so far arrested three persons - Haryana resident Gurmail Baljit Singh (23), Uttar Pradesh native Dharmaraj Rajesh Kashyap (19), both alleged shooters, and "co-conspirator" Pravin Lonkar from Pune. Another suspected shooter Shivkumar Gautam, who hails from Bahraich in UP and is on the run, took to posting online content in recent months, flaunting his "gangster" status. "Yaar tera gangster hai jaani (your friend is a gangster)", Gautam captioned his photo post on his Instagram account on July 24. The photo showed him on a motorcycle as a Haryanvi song played in the background. Suspe

Police arrest Pravin Lonkar in Baba Siddique murder case, accused on run

Shubuu Lonkar is absconding at the moment. Police say, Pravin Lonkar gave shelter to both the arrested accused in Pune

MVA releases 'traitors' booklet against Shinde govt: Here's what it said

Opposition alliance Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) released 'Gaddarancha Panchnama' booklet accusing Eknath Shinde-led Maharashtra govt of betrayal, corruption, and more

Siddique murder case: 'Co-conspirator' held from Pune; 3rd arrest so far

The Mumbai police have arrested a 28-year-old man from Pune who along with his brother enlisted two of the three alleged shooters in the Baba Siddique murder case, an official said on Sunday. Police called the man, Pravin Lonkar, a co-conspirator and said they are on the lookout for his brother Shubham Lonkar. This is the third arrest in the case. According to the crime branch official, Pravin and Shubham enlisted two alleged shooters, a UP resident and Shivkumar Gautam. While Gautam is on the run, police have arrested the UP resident and another alleged shooter, identified as Gurmail Baljit Singh (23). The official said police went to Pune looking for Shubham Lonkar but did not find him there. They then nabbed his brother Pravin for his alleged involvement in the crime, he said. NCP leader Siddique (66) was waylaid by three persons at Kher Nagar in Mumbai's Bandra area just outside his MLA son Zeeshan Siddique's office and shot at on Saturday night. He was rushed to the Lilavati

Maharashtra polls: Both alliances in conundrums over final candidate list

There is no sign that either alliance in Maharashtra is ready with a list of candidates for the Assembly election

News Highlights: Faima calls for shutdown of elective services in hospitals from Monday

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NCP leader Baba Siddique shot dead in Mumbai's Bandra, two detained

An unidentified person fired at and injured Baba Siddiqui of the Ajit Pawar-led NCP in Mumbai's Bandra East on Saturday evening. The former state minister has been admitted in Lilavati Hospital nearby, a police official said. The firing took place outside his MLA son Zeeshan Siddiqui's office near Colgate ground in Nirmal Nagar, the official added. "Two to three rounds were fired. Further probe is underway as teams have rushed to the area," the official said. Siddiqui had recently joined the NCP from the Congress.

Jalandhar links surface in Baba Siddique's murder, 4th accused identified

According to police, Akhtar was arrested by Jalandhar Rural Police in 2022 for organized crime, murder, and robbery