Slain NCP leader Baba Siddique's son, Zeeshan Siddique switched to the Ajit Pawar camp of Nationalist Congress Party from Congress party on Friday ahead of Maharashtra elections. He has been fielded as NCP candidate from Bandra East assembly constituency. The development comes a day after he criticised the decision of the Shiv Sena (UBT) to field a candidate in his constituency for the upcoming assembly polls.
He was suspended from Congress for cross-voting in the recent legislative council elections. Earlier this year, his father Baba Siddique, had crossed over to the NCP but Zeeshan was still to make his political move clear.
After joining NCP, Zeeshan said: "This is an emotional day for me and my family. I am thankful to Ajit Pawar, Praful Patel, Sunil Tatkare for believing in me in these tough times. I have got the nomination from Bandra East, I am sure that with the love and support of all the people, I will definitely win Bandra East yet again..."
"Working with NCP is not a new thing. We had worked with NCP in the previous elections and now if we work with them, it is nothing new for me," he added, alleging that Congress is giving tickets to its candidates under pressure from Shiv Sena (UBT).
Along with Zeeshan, two BJP leaders also joined the Ajit Pawar camp including Nishikant Bhosale Patil and former MP Sanjaykaka Patil. "I have joined NCP today on the direction of our leader Devendra Fadnavis," Nishikant said. "I had to shift to NCP from the BJP as the Islampur assembly seat went to the NCP. I will win the election from the Islampur seat on the NCP ticket...," he added.