After Uddhav, It's Fadnavis And Ajit Pawar — 'Bag-Checking' Is Latest Buzzword In Maharashtra Politics

Amid Maharashtra Assembly polls, the BJP has sought to reply to the Shiv Sena's 'bag check' allegations with videos of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar's luggage being checked.

Maharashtra Assembly Elections: The 'bag-checking' controversy in Maharashtra continues ahead of the assembly elections. This time, the baggage in question were those of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar. The BJP on Wednesday posted a video of the luggage of Devendra Fadnavis being checked at the airport. Ajit Pawar, too, shared a video of his bags being checked by election officials.

Pawar said: "Today, while on my way for election campaigning, the Election Commission conducted a routine check of my bags and helicopter. I fully cooperated and believe that such measures are essential to ensure free and fair elections. Let us all respect the law and support efforts to uphold the integrity of our democracy."

The BJP said that Devendra Fadnavis's bags were also checked in Yavatmal and Kolhapur on November 7 and 5. The BJP said that the Opposition leaders shoot videos to show off. "The Constitution is not for show. Constitutional arrangements must be followed. We only request that everyone should be aware of the Constitution," the BJP said in a Marathi post on X.

Reacting to the video, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray) leader Sanjay Raut said that all baggage are checked at the airport and there is no big deal in it.

What Is The Maharashtra Luggage Controversy?

The luggage controversy started when Uddhav Thackeray alleged that his helicopter and bags were being checked by election officials in a targeted manner. He alleged that the poll officials were not checking bags of BJP leaders, like PM Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, who were coming to the state to campaign.