Naseem Siddiqui Slams Centre on SIR, Nasiruddin Shah, Fadnavis
Senior NCP (SP) leader Naseem Siddiqui has launched a sharp attack on the central government over the INDIA bloc's planned November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi. He claimed the government is rattled by the gathering and that the public and Gen-Z are backing the opposition. He said the government's downfall has started.
In an interview with IANS, Siddiqui questioned traders who fear the economy may be damaged. He said it was wrong to link a one-day sit-in or protest with harm to the national economy. He recalled the long lockdown the country faced during Covid and said that, as a businessman, he had personally seen the struggles of traders and common people during that phase.
He asserted that the Constitution and democratic order are in peril, and said some people are trying to assign a price of crores of rupees to honour and prestige. He alleged that letters written in the name of traders were being drafted under BJP's influence. He expressed confidence that the INDIA bloc rally would be a success and would be felt by the central government.
Siddiqui also raised objections to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists, demanding that the process be cancelled and stopped.
On the controversy around the phrase 'digital Naxal' and actor Nasiruddin Shah, he said that thinking about the nation's progress, improvement and protection of the Constitution cannot be a Naxal approach. He remarked sarcastically that only people with the capacity to think are questioned about their views. He suggested that such individuals could describe their thinking as Naxal in that sense, because it is tied to national progress and constitutional safeguards. He said every Indian should take pride in the country.
He described Nasiruddin Shah as someone who always stands with the truth and expresses his views fearlessly. Siddiqui said anyone who challenges the government is targeted, whether Hindu or Muslim, and alleged that Shah's Muslim identity increases the likelihood of him being targeted.
Speaking about Maharashtra politics, he took a swipe at Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, saying very few people knew him about 20 years ago. He said Fadnavis became Maharashtra's Chief Minister twice owing to Delhi's favour.
Pointing to the MLC election results, Siddiqui said INDIA bloc candidates won three of the five seats and that the BJP also lost in Nagpur. Referring to the results of ballot paper voting, he said all future elections in the country should be held through ballot papers.