His absence from the five-day brief session of the Assembly is being questioned as there is no dearth of political observers who say he has been soft to the govt  from time to time.

Siddiqui is no doubt the most seasoned and vocal voice in the opposition in Bihar Assembly. It is true he has attended Olympics in the past too––as a minister in the Rabri Devi cabinet as well––yet his absence at such crucial juncture raises doubts.

The state government was feeling quite cornered by the incidents of gang rape in Patna, killing of a lady teacher and a spate of crime against women and girls all over the state, even in Nalanda. With Siddiqui nowhere in the Assembly the opposition may not be able to raise the issue so powerfully.

There is another story doing the rounds in corridors of power. As the leader of opposition Siddiqui too okayed the appointment of former chief secretary, R J M Pillai, as the Chief Information Commissioner of Bihar ignoring the strong protest by RTI activists of the state.
“The politicians from both sides ruling and opposition get united on the question of protecting corrupts. Senior loyal IAS officers are rehabilitated as information commissioners. Their only job is to discourage RTI activists from getting crucial information. Despite our strong demand govt. avoided appointing retired High court judge as Chief Commissioner" said RTI activist Shiv Prakash Rai.

It remained a mystery as to why Siddiqui did not oppose Pillai’s appointment. The weakest opposition so far in the state assembly without their leader would certainly help the govt. in sailing smoothly in a brief session.