NEW DELHI: Mahayuti leaders, including Maharashtra chief minister Eknath Shinde, on Wednesday shared videos of their bags being checked by poll body officials in response to Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray‘s criticism of the Election Commission.
Sharing a video on X, NCP chief Ajit Pawar wrote: “Today, while on my way for election campaigning, the Election Commission conducted a routine check of my bags and helicopter. I fully cooperated and believe that such measures are essential to ensure free and fair elections.”
“Let us all respect the law and support efforts to uphold the integrity of our democracy,” the NCP chief wrote.
The bags of chief minister Eknath Shinde being checked by the poll officials was also shared by Shiv Sena. The party said Shinde’s bags were checked at Palghar Police ground helipad when he reached for the election campaign.
Ramdas Athawale’s party, which is a BJP ally, also shared video of party chief’s frisking video in Pune.
Earlier in the day, BJP shared a video of its leader Devendra Fadnavis being checked at an airport, saying it was a normal procedure ahead of the election.
The frisking by poll officials became the latest flashpoint in Maharashtra after UBT chief Uddhav Thackeray’s bags were checked twice in Yavatmal and Latur.
Criticising the EC, Uddhav asked if the election authorities would also inspect the bags of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders.
The sources in the Election Commission, however, told PTI that aircraft and helicopters of top leaders across political spectrum are checked as part of standard operating procedure.
They said in the previous polls too, planes and helicopters of BJP president JP Nadda and Home Minister Amit Shah were checked.
“There have been strict SOPs followed by enforcement agencies for a level playing field. During the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, a similar issue was raised in Bihar and it was clarified that the helicopters of prominent leaders, including Nadda was checked in district Bhagalpur on April 24 and Shah in district Katihar on April 21 were also checked as per SOP,” a functionary pointed out.
The sources also recalled the statement of Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar during the announcement of ongoing assembly elections that directions have been given to the enforcement agencies to ensure checking of helicopters of all leaders for a level playing field.