A prominent Indian politician has been shot dead in the country's commercial capital, Mumbai.
Local media reports say the gunmen targeted Baba Siddique, 66 when he was returning home in a car after visiting the office of his son — also a politician.
Police confirmed two people had been arrested in the killing.
Siddique, a former junior minister in the state of Maharashtra where elections are due early next month, was an influential figure in local politics.
In February, he defected from the Congress, India's principal opposition party, and hopped into another unrelated regional camp within the BJP-led ruling alliance again—the Nationalist Congress Party(NCP).
Maharashtra's deputy chief minister, Ajit Pawar, from the Siddique party, said he was shocked by the "cowardly attack."
Siddique was also known for his extravagant parties and close relationships with Bollywood superstars.
The incident occurred amidst tight security following the ongoing Navratri festival in the city.
Security// Opposition parties have condemned the government, saying this was a serious security breach. The state government has ensured an inquiry.
Police have two people in custody, but the motive for this is unclear. The third suspect sought by police
Reports in some Indian media say the suspects have claimed to be from a gang headed by notorious criminal Lawrence Bishnoi.
Bishnoi is an undertrial serving prison in many cases of murder, the most recent being that of Indian rapper Sidhu Moose Wala's death last year.
The shooting happened weeks after Siddique was provided a security upgrade following death threats.
0 Comments