In a major blow to the Congress party ahead of the Lok Sabha election, former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique has announced his resignation from the primary membership of the party. He will be joining the Ajit Pawar-led NCP on February 10. Siddique cited pressure from the BJP-led government as the reason for his departure, which has been criticized by Mumbai Congress chief Varsha Gaikwad. Siddique's son, Zeeshan Siddique, is also expected to follow his father's footsteps and join the NCP before the next Maharashtra assembly elections in 2024.