Breaking news:
BJP Expected to Appoint New Party President by End of April as State Polls Wrap Up: Sources | Pakistan Army Chief Issues Stern Warning to Baloch Militants: “We Will Crush You” | Ranveer Allahbadia Announces 'Brother' Samay Raina's Return: "Picture Abhi Baki Hai"
Logo

Election Officials Search Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde's Helicopter Amid Opposition Claims of Bias

In a bid to ensure compliance with election guidelines, officials inspected Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde's helicopter following complaints from opposition leader Uddhav Thackeray 

13-11-2024
image
   

Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s helicopter was inspected by election officials in Palghar on Wednesday, where he was campaigning for the upcoming Assembly elections. A video shared by India Today TV showed Shinde speaking with officials as they conducted the search and checked his belongings.

The search came after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray complained about his bags being inspected twice, once in Yavatmal and again in Latur, alleging these checks were intended to hassle opposition leaders. Thackeray himself recorded video footage of officials going through his belongings, questioning whether Chief Minister Shinde and his deputies, Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, were subjected to similar scrutiny. He also asked if Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah had their bags checked when visiting Maharashtra for campaign events.

Election officials responded that these checks were standard procedures required by the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) to maintain a “level playing field” during the election season. Regular surprise inspections are conducted to prevent potential attempts to influence voters through cash or gifts.

Earlier in the week, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari’s helicopter was also inspected by officials upon his arrival in Latur. In a show of transparency, the BJP shared footage of Devendra Fadnavis’s belongings being inspected as well, underscoring the checks’ routine nature.

Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister, added that he too had cooperated with poll officials during a similar check. “Such measures are essential for free and fair elections,” he said, calling for support of the enforcement efforts.

Uddhav Thackeray, who resigned as Chief Minister in 2022 following an internal party rift led by Shinde, remarked that opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi members would conduct their own inspections if ruling party leaders’ belongings were not being checked.

Maharashtra’s Assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with vote counting set for three days later.

Image

India Blocks Pakistan’s Official X Account as Diplomatic Tensions Escalate

Following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26, India has blocked the Pakistani government’s

Read More
Image

India Suspends Indus Waters Treaty, Cuts Diplomatic Ties with Pakistan After

India has taken sweeping punitive measures against Pakistan, including suspending the Indus Waters T

Read More
Image

PM Modi Begins Landmark Saudi Visit, Hajj Quota and Strategic Ties in Focus

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Jeddah for a two-day visit, set to deepen India-Saudi relati

Read More