Mumbai: An Indian politician has been shot dead in Mumbai, the country’s commercial capital.

According to local reports, Baba Siddique, 66, was attacked by gunmen near the office of his son, who is also involved in politics. Two individuals have been arrested in connection with the killing.

Siddique, a former local minister, was a prominent figure in Maharashtra politics, with the state set to hold legislative elections next month.

Earlier this year, in February, he left Congress, India’s main opposition party, and joined the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), a regional party allied with the ruling BJP.

Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister, Ajit Pawar, who belongs to the same party as Siddique, expressed shock at the "cowardly attack."

Siddique was well-known for hosting extravagant parties and maintaining close relationships with Bollywood stars.

The shooting occurred despite heightened security in the city due to a significant Hindu festival.

Opposition parties have blamed the government for a serious security lapse, while the state has promised a thorough investigation.

Though two suspects are in custody, the motive remains unclear, and police are continuing their search for a third suspect.

Some Indian media outlets have reported that the arrested suspects claimed ties to a gang led by notorious criminal Lawrence Bishnoi.

Bishnoi, who is currently in jail for several high-profile cases, has also been linked to the 2022 murder of Indian rapper Sidhu Moose Wala.

The attack took place just weeks after Siddique’s security was increased following death threats.