One of the significant political cross-overs in the state, Zeeshan Siddique the son of the late Baba Siddique has recently shifted his allegiance towards the Ajit Pawar led faction of NCP. This came after the Congress expelled Siddique in August after he was accused of indulging in cross voting in the legislative council elections. By this, Zeeshan is preparing to take a stand for his father’s struggle, which after gaining a seat in the Vandre (East) is again in the position to contest the post in the 2019 elections from the Congress party.
Emotional Context
The political journey towards free and fair election has become more significant for Zeeshan Siddique since the demise of his father on 12th October. About Baba Siddique, who was three time Congress MLA, regarded a well known personality in Maharashtra politics.
His assassination has given an emotional aspect to Zeeshan Ehtesham’s actions to ditch Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) that he accused of abandoning him in this regard. Zeeshan criticised the MVA saying that it had nominated a candidate from the faction of Uddhav Thackeray for the Vandre (East) assembly seat.
Support from NCP Leadership
Zeeshan Siddique entered the NCP with a accepting embrace from senior leaders in the party and they include the current Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister, Ajit Pawar. About his feeling towards NCP leadership he said, ‘‘We are in that difficult time Ajit Pawar, Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare and the NCP trusted me.’’ This endorsement is a strategic partnership which could give his campaign momentum in the forthcoming general election.
Commitment to Vandre (East)
For the first time after joining theраб respectively, Zeeshan reiterated his support for the people of Vandre (East). “I have received the nomination from Vandre (East), and I know with the support of all the people, I will surely retain the seat in Bandra East again,” he said. He said that it is not just a political aspiration for him to clinch this seat; it is more personal – to keep his father’s unfulfilled endeavor of helping the community.
Conclusion
The entry of Zeeshan Siddique into NCP shows that new entrant has brought new potential in the field of Maharashtra politics especially in Vandre (East) constituency. This testing will occur when Modiji takes on Varun Sardesai, from the Thackeray fold, the nephew of Uddhav Thackeray in the next election that is likely to be a test of loyalty and inheritance in the new digital world. Therefore, by beginning with the help of Ajit Pawar and with the NCP backing Zeeshan is in for a sizable influence in the forthcoming electoral fight and definitely the mission of his late father or family patriarch.
