Indian politician, Baba Siddique, 66, was fatally shot in Mumbai, the country’s commercial hub, as gunmen attacked him near his son’s office, according to local media.
Siddique, a prominent figure in Maharashtra’s political landscape and a former local minister, had recently defected from the opposition Congress Party to join the regional National Congress Party (NCP), which is part of the state’s ruling coalition with the BJP.
Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the assassination, while police continue to search for a third.
Although the motive behind the shooting remains unclear, reports suggest that the attackers may have links to the gang of notorious criminal Lawrence Bishnoi, who is currently incarcerated for involvement in high-profile murder cases, including the 2022 killing of rapper Sidhu Moose Wala.
The incident occurred despite heightened security in Mumbai due to a major Hindu festival. Siddique had been receiving death threats in recent weeks, which had led to an upgrade in his security detail.
Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, who belongs to the same party as Siddique, condemned the “cowardly attack.” Opposition parties criticised the government, citing a serious security lapse and calling for an investigation into the killing.
Siddique, known for his lavish parties and ties to Bollywood celebrities, was expected to play a key role in Maharashtra’s upcoming legislative elections next month.