The Election Commission of India (ECI) addressed the escalating political dispute regarding the frisking of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray’s bags during his recent campaign stops. According to sources, the ECI emphasized that all standard operating procedures (SOPs) were followed in order to ensure a fair election environment ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly polls.
While the Entirely Compromised commission shamelessly carries on trying to delay Uddhav Thackeray ji to his sabhas by frisking, the question is, why isn’t the PM or other ministers visiting Maharashtra to promote bjp’s loot being frisked this way?
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— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) November 12, 2024
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Video Footage Fuels Political Tensions
The issue gained traction when Thackeray posted a video of election officials checking his bags in Yavatmal on Monday, as he arrived for campaign events. His son, Aaditya Thackeray, shared a similar video from Latur on Tuesday, raising questions on social media about the impartiality of these security checks. In his post, Aaditya criticized the ECI for allegedly allowing political bias by singling out his father while other leaders were not subjected to similar inspections. He questioned why prominent leaders such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were not frisked during their visits to Maharashtra.
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Political Reactions from Both Sides
Thackeray’s questioning of the frisking procedures led to a tug of war between the ruling Mahayuti alliance and the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). Uddhav questioned officials about whether Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his deputies Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar undergo similar checks.
Mahayuti leaders reacted swiftly, suggesting that Thackeray’s protests may stem from concerns about “stolen money” being discovered. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut claimed that cash distributions by Mahayuti leaders are common and questioned whether similar checks were conducted on their belongings. He further alleged that leaders like Shinde and Ajit Pawar had distributed vast sums in Maharashtra, challenging the Election Commission’s impartiality in inspecting their bags and helicopters.
Criticism from NCP and AAP
The controversy drew responses from Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Sharad Pawar and AAP’s Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh. Pawar described the frisking incidents as attempts to harass opposition leaders, suggesting that the checks were meant to intimidate Mahayuti opponents.
ECI’s Routine Security Measures Under the Model Code of Conduct
The ECI maintained that these checks are a part of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), which includes surprise inspections to prevent the distribution of cash or gifts aimed at influencing voters. The ongoing row underscores political tensions ahead of the Maharashtra Assembly polls, with both the Mahayuti alliance and MVA exchanging accusations over election protocols.
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