Maharashtra Congress Expels Two MLAs Before Assembly Polls

The Maharashtra Congress has expelled MLAs Zeeshan Siddique and Jitesh Antapurkar, just before the assembly polls. The expulsion, announced by party president Nana Patole, comes after seven Congress MLAs cross-voted in biennial elections. Siddique's father recently joined the Ajit Pawar-led NCP.

The Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole on Friday announced the expulsion of MLAs Zeeshan Siddique and Jitesh Antapurkar, a move strategically timed ahead of the crucial assembly polls.

Addressing reporters in Nagpur, Patole refrained from delving into the specifics behind the expulsion. However, this action follows revelations that seven Congress MLAs cross-voted during the recent biennial elections to the Legislative Council.

In response to inquiries about Siddique and Antapurkar, Patole stated that further discussion on the matter was unnecessary now that they have been removed from the party. Notably, Zeeshan Siddique, elected from Bandra (East) in Mumbai, is the son of Baba Siddique, who shifted allegiance to the Ajit Pawar-led NCP ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The Maharashtra assembly elections are slated for November.

(With inputs from agencies.)