Maharashtra Elections: Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s bags were checked at Palghar Police ground helipad where he reached for the election campaign. This comes amid a row over the checking of Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray's bags recently.
Thackeray's bags were checked twice, once in Yavatmal and another time in Latur. This resulted in a controversy as the former Maharashtra CM stated that it was an unrequired hassle which was aimed at the Opposition ahead of the upcoming Assembly polls on November 20.
Thackeray's bags were first checked on Monday, November 11, when his helicopter landed in Yavatmal. Thereafter, his bags were checked again on the very next day, when his chopper landed in Latur, where he had gone to attend a rally in support of former MLA and Sena (UBT) candidate from Ausa, Dinkar Mane.
Earlier today, Deputy CMs Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis had to face the checks as well. Both the leaders had posted videos of their bags being checked by elections officials on their social media channels.
Posting the video on X, Pawar wrote: "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 stated that Fadnavis's luggage was also checked in Yavatmal and Kolhapur on November 7 and 5, adding that the Opposition leaders shoot videos to show off.
Thackeray, who was irked by the repeated checks, had shot the video of the officials checking his bags. In the video, he was seen asking them thier names, postings, and their appointment letters. He also asked them if they checked PM Modi's and Amit Shah's bags when they came to Maharashtra to address poll rallies.
On Tuesday, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari's helicopter was also checked by poll officials in Latur when the BJP leader arrived for a campaign there.
The Mahayuti alliance has hit out at Thackeray for opposing the checks, questioning him why he was perturbed if he had nothing to hide. MVA, on the other hand, said that the checks were nothing but attempts to trouble the Opposition.
With the implementation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) ahead of the upcoming polls in the state, the election officials carry out such surprise checks to ensure fair play by preventing distribution of gifts or cash to lure voters.