Indian politician with Bollywood ties shot dead in Mumbai before key election

• Baba Siddique, a senior Mumbai politician and former member of the Indian National Congress party, was shot dead weeks before a crucial state election.
• The 66-year-old politician was shot multiple times outside his son's office on Saturday night and later succumbed to his injuries at Lilavati Hospital.
• Siddique had recently switched allegiance to a regional party that rules the state of Maharashtra and was known for his close ties to Bollywood celebrities.

A senior politician also known for his close ties to Bollywood has been shot dead in India's financial capital, Mumbai, weeks before a crucial state election.

Baba Siddique, 66, was shot multiple times outside his son's office in Mumbai on Saturday night, a police statement said. He later succumbed to his wounds at the city's Lilavati Hospital.

Siddique was a member of the Indian National Congress party for decades, but recently joined the regional party that rules the state of Maharashtra. He was also close to several Bollywood superstars and was known for throwing lavish parties.

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Ajit Pawar, deputy chief minister of Maharashtra, who belongs to the same party as Siddique, said he was shocked by the killing.

“The incident will be thoroughly investigated and strict action will be taken against the attackers. The mastermind behind the attack will also be traced,” Pawar said in a statement.

The Press Trust of India news agency reported that two suspected attackers have been arrested and police are searching for another.

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According to broadcaster NDTV, the two suspects claimed to be members of a criminal organization that had committed multiple murders in the past.

Elections in Maharashtra are scheduled to be held in November.