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Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari’s helicopter was checked by election officials in Maharashtra’s Latur on Tuesday when he arrived for a campaign there. The development came amid a row over two bag checks of Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, once in Yavatmal and another time in Latur.
A video of Latur showed poll officials hopping on the helicopter after Nitin Gadkari landed, and going through several bags kept there.
Earlier in the day, sources in the Election Commission described Uddhav Thackeray’s bags as part of SOPs for “a level playing field”. Thackeray’s checking of bags twice sparked a controversy, with the former Maharashtra Chief Minister claiming it was an undue hassle aimed at the Opposition ahead of state Assembly polls on November 20.
With the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in force, poll officials regularly carry out surprise checks to prevent distribution of gifts and cash to lure voters.
Thackeray’s bag was first checked on Monday, after his helicopter landed in Yavatmal. The scene repeated itself the next day in Latur, where Thackeray’s helicopter was again subjected to the same checks upon his arrival for a rally supporting former MLA Dinkar Mane, the Sena (UBT) candidate in Ausa constituency.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) posted a video on X (formerly Twitter), showing Thackeray conversing with the poll officials, questioning the need for repeated searches.
In the video, Thackeray, visibly perturbed, asked the officials for their names, postings, and appointment letters. “How many people have you searched so far?” he asked.
When informed that he was the first person to be checked, Thackeray replied, “Why am I always the first customer?”
The former Chief Minister was also heard asking if the election authorities also inspect the bags of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah when they come to Maharashtra to address rallies.
Leaders of the ruling Mahayuti alliance asked why the former chief minister was opposed to checks if he had nothing to hide.
However, leaders from Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) argued that the incident was just an attempt to trouble the opposition ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly polls.
“The Election Commission does its work, we have no problem. But, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar have sent Rs 25 crore each… Does the Election Commission check the luggage and helicopters of Mahayuti leaders? Do Mahayuti leaders have only underwear in their bags?” Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said.
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