In this Sunday, July 21, 2013 file photo, then Congress leader Baba Siddique with actors Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan during an Iftar party, in Mumbai.
Credit: PTI File Photo
Mumbai: With his looks, style and gait, the charismatic Baba Siddique could easily pass off as a Bollywood star.
Instead, he chose to become a politician and was a celebrity among them.
The ever-smiling Baba Siddique rubbed shoulders with who’s who of the Hindi entertainment industry — films, television and digital platforms.
Siddique’s friendship was across party lines and there was always a smile on his face.
Baba, for friends, was just a phone call away.
Siddique hailed from Manjha in Gopalganj district of Bihar - and came to Mumbai around sixties and made fortunes just because of his relationship and hard work.
He lived a high-profile lifestyle and loved luxury cars but at the same time, he used to work in slums and help the poor people.
The 66-year-old Siddique was shot dead in Mumbai on Saturday night.
Siddique's political career began in 1977 when he joined the Congress party, starting with the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) and later moving to the Indian Youth Congress.
Siddique, a two-term Corporator, and a three-time MLA (1999 and 2004 from Vandre and 2009 from Vandre West) is a former Minister of State having handled portfolios like Food & Civil Supplies, Labour and FDA and Consumer Protection in the erstwhile Congress-NCP Democratic Front government.
Siddique had been the chairman of the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA)’s Mumbai Board during 2000-2004.
“Baba was a charismatic person and he was loved by politicians irrespective of parties,” said NCP President Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.
He is known for his close contacts with the who’s who of the Hindi entertainment industry including the three Khans - Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Aamir Khan.
He was known for his close association with late actor-politician Sunil Dutt and his children - Sanjay Dutt, Priya Dutt and Namrata Dutt.
“To my father, Baba Siddique was like a son, and to me, he was a brother and a dear friend. Throughout my father's political journey and beyond, he stood steadfastly, by his side. When I entered politics, he guided me through its ups and downs, offering his unwavering support,” said Priya Dutt. “.
“Baba was more than a political associate; he was family. His loss feels like the departure of a family member. My heart bleeds for Bhabhi, Zeeshan, and Arshia,” she added.
Sanjay Dutt was the first to rush to the Lilavati Hospital when the news of the shoot-out came.
Baba's grand Iftar parties were attended by top stars and politicians.
It can be noted that it was Baba who ensured a patch-up between Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan.
Baba also enjoyed good relations with the Gandhi family and why he quit Congress he never made public.
“My journey was with Indira Gandhi-Rajiv Gandhi-Sanjay Gandhi. I respect Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge is like my father. But sometimes some decisions have to be made in personal life,” Siddique had said before joining NCP.