Zeeshan Siddiqui On His Way Out? Congress MLA Joins Ajit Pawar's Yatra, Takes 'Mohabbat Ki Dukan' Dig At Party
Congress MLA Zeeshan Siddiqui participated in NCP's 'Jan Sanman Yatra' led by Ajit Pawar, criticising Congress party's lack of inclusivity and praising NCP's 'Ladki Bahin' scheme.
Congress MLA Zeeshan Siddiqui on Monday joined the Nationalist Congress Party's (NCP) 'Jan Sanman Yatra,' led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, in a move that has sparked reactions within his party. Siddiqui, who represents the Bandra East constituency, took a veiled swipe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's "Mohabbat ki Dukan" (shop of love) slogan, suggesting that "love has to be in the heart," not just a slogan.
Siddiqui's participation in the yatra, after it reached his constituency, has raised eyebrows, particularly as his father, former MLA Baba Siddiqui, recently left Congress to join Ajit Pawar's faction of the NCP. Siddiqui praised the Mahayuti government's flagship 'Mazi Ladki Bahin' scheme for women, which has faced criticism from the Opposition. He claimed that Congress had been ignoring him, excluding him from events and meetings, and subjecting him to what he described as severe injustice.
#WATCH | Congress MLA Zeeshan Siddique says, "Ajit Dada is our Deputy CM and thousands of sisters are waiting to tie Rakhi to him...I am very happy that he has come to my electoral constituency..." pic.twitter.com/1ITYykk1DA
— ANI (@ANI) August 19, 2024
Addressing the NCP rally, Siddiqui said, "We faced a lot of injustice. Whatever good work is going on here [Bandra East constituency] is due to Ajit Dada and the support of others. We were patiently and diligently doing our work, but if someone questioned our integrity, we should be able to stand up and respond properly", news agency PTI reported.
Siddiqui also criticised the Congress's lack of inclusivity, stating, "Opening the 'Mohabbat ki Dukan' is not enough; love has to be in the heart," in an apparent reference to Gandhi's slogan, as quoted by PTI.
Speaking to reporters earlier, Siddiqui explained that he was taking responsibility for welcoming the Deputy Chief Minister as the yatra passed through his constituency. He reiterated his support for the 'Ladki Bahin' scheme, emphasising its potential to benefit numerous women in Maharashtra.
Siddiqui further accused the Congress of ignoring him, alleging that he was not consulted or invited to participate in the 'Nyay Yatra' led by Mumbai Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad, which also passed through his constituency.
According to PTI, he claimed that when his representative approached the party for a nomination form for the upcoming assembly elections, they were denied. "The message is clear to me. Nevertheless, I am determined to contest the upcoming assembly election," Siddiqui said.
Maharashtra Election Will Put Zeeshan Siddiqui 'In His Place': State Congress Chief Nana Patole
Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole responded to Zeeshan Siddiqui's remarks, indicating that appropriate action would be taken.
Reacting to Siddiqui's comments, Patole remarked, "Some individuals have started considering themselves more important than the party. Congress is not powerless, but some individuals who have risen through the party ranks now believe they are more important than the party itself. The national president of Congress and the in-charge of Maharashtra will be visiting Mumbai tomorrow [for Rajiv Gandhi's birth anniversary function], and we will update them. This election will put [Siddiqui] in his place. We will take necessary action", as quoted by PTI.
Mumbai Congress president Varsha Gaikwad also condemned Siddiqui's participation in Pawar’s yatra. "We have reported Siddiqui's actions to Maharashtra unit in-charge Ramesh Chennithala. His joining Ajit Pawar's yatra is objectionable, and we have communicated our concerns to the central leadership. They will decide on the next steps," Gaikwad said, as quoted by Indian Express.
Zeeshan Siddiqui Denies Joining NCP
Zeeshan Siddiqui has categorically refuted wanting to quit the grand old party to join the NCP.
Speaking to News18, he clarified, "I am not joining NCP. This function has been organised to thank Ajit Pawar for the ‘Ladki Bahin Yojna’ as there are more than 12,000 beneficiaries from my constituency." "Let me tell you that I am going to contest the upcoming state assembly elections from this constituency, but from which party, I have not decided as of now. I still consider myself a Congress party worker," he was quoted as saying.
Siddiqui, one of the four Congress MLAs elected in the 2019 assembly polls, was previously the Mumbai Youth Congress chief before being removed from the position. Speculation has been rife that he might follow his father into the NCP, particularly after being named among the seven Congress MLAs who allegedly cross-voted in the council elections.
Six Congress MLAs, including Siddiqui, were rumoured to have cross-voted during last month's Maharashtra Legislative Council elections, further fuelling speculation about his loyalty.
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