Days after the Election Commission awarded him the party name Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and symbol ‘clock,’ the party chief and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar received yet another boost after Congress leader and former minister Baba Siddique’s decision to quit the grand old party and join him ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and the state assembly elections. Siddique will join the Ajit Pawar-led NCP on February 10 at the function in Bandra in the presence of DCM and the party’s working president, Praful Patel. In Siddique, the Ajit Pawar-led party has got a Muslim face to increase its presence in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra. Siddique can be instrumental in spreading the party’s wings in Mumbai, especially in the Muslim-dominated wards ahead of the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation, which is currently under the Administrator’s rule.
Also Read: Baba Siddique Leaves Congress After 48 Years
Siddique announced his decision to part ways from the Congress on X. ‘’I joined the Indian National Congress party as a young teenager, and it has been a significant journey lasting 48 years. Today, I am resigning from the primary membership of the Indian National Congress Party @INCIndia with immediate effect. There’s a lot I would have liked to express, but as they say, some things are better left unsaid. I thank everyone who has been a part of this journey.’’ He later confirmed that he would join the Ajit Pawar-led NCP on February 10.
He later told the media that ‘’Last 15 days, I have given the idea to my superiors in the Congress party that I will leave the party. I am joining the Nationalist Congress Party. I will work under the leadership of Ajit Pawar.’’ When asked if some other Congress party leaders and officer bearers were joining him, he added, ‘’ Aage aage dekho hota hai Kay (see what happens in future).’’
‘’My journey was with Indira Gandhi-Rajiv Gandhi-Sanjay Gandhi. The current Congress President, Mallikarjun Kharge, is like my father. Mohan Prakash is like my elder brother. But sometimes, some decisions have to be made in my personal life. I have taken the decision by telling my superiors that I am leaving the party,’’ said Siddique.
‘’I may have resigned from the Congress party because of something. I am a disciplined worker. Some things are better left unsaid. I organized a public meeting on February 10 in the presence of the activist-leaders who have supported me in my journey of 48 years in Congress. Some of them are former Zilla Parishad members; some are corporators. I will join the Ajit Pawar-led NCP and make all efforts to strengthen the party organisation,’’ said Siddique.
Siddique’s move is certainly politically significant as NCP, led by Sharad Pawar, has an insignificant presence in Mumbai, particularly in Muslim-dominated wards. With Ajit Pawar getting the name NCP and symbol ‘clock’ it has been his attempt to start afresh in rebuilding the party by increasing its presence across Mumbai. Further, Siddique’s decision comes when Ajit Pawar, although he has become a crucial ally of BJP amid its pitch for Ram Lalla and Hindutva, has reiterated that he and his party will work on the thoughts and principles of Shahu Ambedkar Phule that is for all sections, castes, creeds and religions.
Despite joining hands with BJP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, Ajit Pawar, in his capacity as DCM, visited the riot-hit Pusegaon in Western Maharashtra and gave confidence to riot-hit Muslim community members. Besides, he chaired meetings to see how financial benefits under various government schemes can be further streamlined for Muslims and minorities in general. He also met the delegation by Muslim community demanding the restoration of 5% reservation granted by the Congress-NCP government in education and jobs.
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