In Maharashtra’s Latur on Tuesday, election officials inspected Union Minister Nitin Gadkari’s Chopper upon his arrival for a campaign event, marking a similar move to their inspection of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray’s belongings earlier in Yavatmal and again in Latur. Thackeray and his allies allege the repeated inspections of his bags signal unfair treatment by election authorities, raising concerns about partiality amid the ongoing Model Code of Conduct (MCC) enforcement.
Election Commission Enforces SOPs to Ensure Fair Campaigns
Videos from Latur captured election officials boarding Nitin Gadkari’s Chopper and inspecting bags inside, adhering to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) intended to maintain a fair playing field and prevent illegal distribution of cash or gifts to voters. The Election Commission (EC) defended these measures, noting that they are standard during elections to ensure compliance with MCC guidelines, intended to curb any undue influence on voters.
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BREAKING: EC officials search chopper carrying Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. Minister permitted the search without complaint.
Earlier search of Uddhav Thackeray’s bags by EC officials led to I.N.D.I.A bloc accusing of singling out opposition leaders. pic.twitter.com/kD1cjmFah3— Rahul Shivshankar (@RShivshankar) November 12, 2024
Thackeray’s Frustration Grows After Repeated Inspections
Thackeray’s belongings were first inspected in Yavatmal on Monday and again the next day in Latur, where he was campaigning for Shiv Sena UBT candidate Dinkar Mane in the Ausa constituency. Thackeray expressed visible frustration during the second inspection, questioning officials about their motivations and asking for their names, postings, and appointment details. In a video shared on X (formerly Twitter), he sarcastically referred to himself as the “first customer” for such checks.
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उद्धव ठाकरे आज वणीमध्ये संजय देरकर यांच्या प्रचारासाठी पोहोचल्यानंतर हेलिकॉप्टरमध्ये उतरताच निवडणूक अधिकाऱ्यांनी बॅगेची तपासणी केली. #MaharashtraAssemblyElections2024 pic.twitter.com/wZPpGvGXju
— Girish Kamble (@GirishKamble22) November 11, 2024
Thackeray further questioned whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Home Minister Amit Shah faced similar scrutiny during their Maharashtra campaign rallies, insinuating a perceived bias against opposition leaders.
Political Reactions: Ruling Alliance and Opposition Clash
Leaders from the ruling Mahayuti alliance responded by questioning why Thackeray opposed the checks if there was no reason for concern, suggesting that the inspections should not be an issue if he had nothing to hide. However, leaders of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) allege that the inspections are part of a strategy to intimidate and inconvenience opposition leaders ahead of the November 20 assembly polls.
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#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut says, “The Election Commission does its work during the elections… Our luggage, helicopter, private jet, cars, everything is checked. They reach our homes. We dont have a problem with it if it is done impartially.… pic.twitter.com/sht2ARmWuh
— ANI (@ANI) November 12, 2024
Shiv Sena UBT leader Sanjay Raut expressed skepticism over the impartiality of election authorities, highlighting that while they respect the EC’s duties, the consistency of inspections should be ensured across parties. Raut alleged that significant funds were being moved by leaders in the ruling Mahayuti alliance and questioned if their belongings faced equal scrutiny.
