Congress MLA Zeeshan Siddiqui Denies Plans to Join NCP Amid Claims of Party Sidelining

Congress MLA Zeeshan Siddiqui met Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and claimed his party is ignoring him. Despite participating in NCP's event, he has not decided to join the party. Siddiqui felt sidelined after his father joined NCP.

Congress MLA Zeeshan Siddiqui met Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and NCP leader Ajit Pawar on Tuesday amid claims of being sidelined by his party. Despite participating in the NCP's 'Jan Sanman Yatra,' Siddiqui stated he has not yet decided to switch parties.

'I met Ajit Dada today as he is the deputy chief minister, and I needed to discuss constituency issues. I haven't decided to join NCP or any other party because there is still time for the elections, and my voters will ultimately decide my course,' Siddiqui said. He added that Congress had been ignoring him and not inviting him to party events.

'The Congress is sidelining me. I'm not invited to any party events, including a recent event in my constituency by Varsha Gaikwad,' he added. Siddiqui also cited his unceremonious removal from the Mumbai Youth Congress president post as further proof of being marginalized. He claimed this started after his father, former MLA Baba Siddiqui, joined NCP.

'Ever since my father joined NCP, I've been targeted. Despite examples in Congress where father and son are in different parties, like AK Anthony, I'm the only one targeted,' Siddiqui said. Assembly elections in Maharashtra are set for later this year, with the Election Commission yet to announce dates officially. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)