Mumbai: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has sharply criticized Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde following the murder of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Baba Siddique, claiming that the incident highlights a significant breakdown in law and order under the current administration. Raut alleged that criminals are operating freely in the state, citing the murder of Siddique, who was under state protection, as a stark example of this deterioration.
“Baba Siddique, a respected leader who contributed significantly to the state, was under full state security yet was brutally murdered. This points to the Chief Minister’s complete failure in maintaining law and order,” Raut told ANI. He added that Maharashtra, once considered a secure state and a hub for major industries, is now experiencing a decline that has eroded public confidence.
Raut also targeted Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who holds the Home Minister portfolio, accusing him of failing to curb the rise in daylight murders and ensuring the safety of public figures. He urged the Governor to intervene and remove Fadnavis from his post, calling his tenure as Home Minister a “total failure.”
In response, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde announced that Baba Siddique would be cremated with full state honours, recognizing his contributions as a former minister and chairman of the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA). The murder of Siddique in Mumbai has raised serious concerns about the effectiveness of the state’s law enforcement agencies.