“Great loss for Mahayuti”: Union Minister Ramdas Athawale mourns Baba Siddique’s death

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], October 13 (ANI): Union Minister Ramdas Athawale on Sunday called for strict punishment of the accused involved in the Baba Siddique murder case, saying that this is a ‘great’ loss for Mahayuti alliance.

Speaking to ANI, RPI(A) chief and Union Minister Ramdas Athawale said, “Baba Siddique was a minority leader, but he was also attracted to the Dalit community. We had been friends for many years… We had never imagined something like this would happen. The murderers should be punished and those behind this should also be arrested… This is a great loss for Mahayuti.”

Siddique, after being associated with Congress for the last 35 years joined NCP eight months ago.

Former Maharashtra Minister and NCP leader Baba Siddique, sustained gunshot wounds to his chest before being brought to Mumbai’s Lilavati Hospital for emergency treatment, where he succumbed to death on Saturday night.

After being shot, Baba Siddique was admitted around 9.30 pm on Saturday and, despite extensive resuscitative efforts, succumbed to his injuries shortly. Dr Jalil Parkar, a physician at Lilavati Hospital, said, “Around 9.30 pm, Baba Siddique was brought here. When he arrived in the emergency room, his pulse and blood pressure were unrecordable, and the ECG showed a flat line. We shifted him to the ICU.”

BJP leader Shaina NC also expressed her grief over the death of Baba Siddique.”This incident is very sad… Two people have been arrested, the third is absconding. Mumbai police are investigating… Maintaining the fear of the law is important,” she told to ANI

Meanwhile, Former Maharashtra Minister and NCP leader Baba Siddique’s mortal remains were taken from his residence in Bandra for the state funeral on Sunday.

NCP leader Siddique’s last rites will be performed with full state honour at Bada Qabrastan, in Mumbai lines.

Earlier today, Mumbai’s esplanade court sent Gurmail Singh, accused in the Baba Siddique murder case to Mumbai Crime Branch custody till 21 October on Sunday.

Mumbai police today presented the two accused in the Baba Siddique firing case, Gurmail Singh and Dharmraj Singh Kashyap in Mumbai’s Esplanade Court. Esplanade court has also directed to present the second accused again after conducting his ossification test.