Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: A bag check incident involving former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray’s luggage in Yavatmal has sparked a fierce exchange between Thackeray’s Shiv Sena faction and the rival group led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The inspection took place just as Mr. Thackeray arrived to address a rally ahead of the November 20 Assembly elections, prompting heated questions from his camp about alleged selective targeting.
This morning, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut demanded to know if similar checks had been conducted on top BJP and Shinde Sena leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. “Our luggage, helicopters, private jets, and cars are searched, but what about those of Eknath Shinde and others?” he asked.
Shinde Sena Responds Swiftly
Responding to Mr. Raut’s claims, Shinde Sena spokesperson Krishna Hegde accused him of making “wild allegations” and highlighted that Mr. Shinde’s bags were also checked in Nashik during the April-June general elections. “Shindeji didn’t make a fuss about it. If there’s nothing to hide, why protest?” he countered.
Thackeray’s Remarks to Officials
A video shared by the Uddhav camp shows Mr. Thackeray questioning an officer about the search. “Are the bags of Devendra Fadnavis, Narendra Modi, or Amit Shah also checked? Are there only clothes in their bags?” Mr. Thackeray asked, challenging the impartiality of the checks and pointing to alleged cash flow in Maharashtra ahead of the polls.
A Recurring Election Controversy
Bag and helicopter searches have become a common source of contention during election seasons, with parties often accusing each other of transporting money to influence voters. Sources within the Election Commission told NDTV that strict protocols are in place for these checks to ensure fairness. EC officials noted that even Amit Shah’s chopper had been searched in past campaigns, underscoring the commitment to a “level playing field.”
Voting for Maharashtra’s 288 Assembly seats will occur on November 20, with results expected three days later. Mr. Thackeray’s alliance with Congress and Sharad Pawar’s NCP stands against the BJP and factions led by Mr. Shinde and Ajit Pawar.
