Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray voiced frustration with the Election Commission of India (ECI) after officials inspected his bags upon landing in Wani, Yavatmal district where he was campaigning for his party’s candidate, Sanjay Derkar in the Wani assembly constituency. Thackeray questioned whether ECI officials also inspect the luggage of key ruling party leaders.
“I want to ask them if they check the bags of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, union home minister Amit Shah, chief minister Eknath Shinde, deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis, and deputy CM Ajit Pawar?” Thackeray said, emphasizing what he felt was a disparity in treatment.
Upon arrival by helicopter, Thackeray and his assistant MLC Milind Narvekar were approached by ECI officials for a routine check. Though he complied, Thackeray recorded the interaction later sharing the footage on social media. In the video, he asked if the ECI had inspected the bags of other leaders like Shinde, Fadnavis, Pawar, Modi and Shah. An ECI official responded that these leaders had yet to visit the area prompting Thackeray to insist their bags be inspected upon arrival with video proof provided.
Speaking at a Shiv Sena (UBT) rally later, Thackeray voiced his disappointment. “I am not angry with [the ECI officials] as they were doing their duty. But at the same time, I have a question: do they check the bags of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, home minister Amit Shah, that bearded person (referring to Eknath Shinde), the man with the pink jacket (Ajit Pawar), and that deputy CM Fadnavis?” he asked.
Thackeray further suggested that if election officials do not inspect ruling party leaders’ bags, Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maha Vikas Aghadi workers might conduct checks themselves. He even encouraged his followers to inspect election officials’ identity cards if approached.
Amol Kolhe, an MP from NCP, a Shiv Sena (UBT) ally also reported similar treatment stating, “When I reached Sangli for a rally at Vita, officials on election duty checked my baggage.”
Uddhav Thackeray’s remarks highlight perceived inconsistencies in election practices, sparking broader discussions about fairness and transparency within the ECI’s procedures.
