Amid a massive political row that erupted after Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray alleged his bags were searched by polling officials during the assembly election campaign, several ruling party leaders, including Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, sought to blunt his claims, saying their bags, too, have been checked by security officials.
Thackeray alleged that his bags were checked in Yavatmal on Monday and later in Latur on Tuesday, where he was campaigning for his party’s candidates for the November 20 assembly polls. He questioned whether these officials would also examine the bags of Prime Minster Narendra Modi or any other senior leaders.
As Thackeray’s allegation sparked a political storm, Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar claimed their bags were also checked by poll officials and maintained that such measures are needed to ensure free and fair elections.
On Wednesday morning, the Maharashtra BJP posted a video on X showing security officials examining Fadnavis’s bags at Kolhapur airport on November 5.
"Let it be, some leaders just have a habit of creating drama," the party said in the post. "Simply holding the Constitution for show is not enough; one must also follow constitutional systems. We only request that everyone respects the Constitution.”
Later in the day, Ajit Pawar also took to X sharing a video of his bags being checked while he was onboard a helicopter to travel for poll campaign.
“Everyone should respect the law and support efforts to uphold the integrity of the country's democracy,” Pawar said in a post.
The controversy erupted on Monday when the Sena (UBT) posted a video on X showing polling officials searching the bags of Thackeray as he arrived in Yavatmal for campaigning.
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In the video, the former CM can be heard questioning the officials, asking them to show their ID cards and even the money in their pockets.
On Tuesday, Thackeray claimed his bags were examined by polling officials for the second day after after he arrived in Latur district.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission officials maintained that they were “routine” checks as part of the standard operating procedure (SOP).
EC officials further clarified that the aircraft and helicopters of top leaders across political spectrum, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP leader J.P. Nadda have been checked as part of the SOP.
