Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's allegation that the Opposition is being targeted through selective bag checks, has caused a beeline for baggage checks of leaders of the ruling alliance, which is pointedly posting the videos online. First it was the turn of two deputy Chief Ministers - Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar. And now Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's baggage has also been checked by election officials, who had termed such checks "routine" when the row had started with the checking of Mr Thackeray's luggage.
On Monday and Tuesday, Mr Thackeray's bags were checked twice in Yavatmal district and Latur as the former Chief Minister travelled across the state seeking votes ahead of the November 20 polls. It had sparked a huge row between his faction of the Shiv Sena and the rival group led by Eknath Shinde.
Agreeing that such exercise is needed to check cash for votes, the Sena UBT said votes are being bought in areas dominated by the ruling alliance.
"Our luggage, helicopter, private jet, cars... everything is checked. They search our homes also... we don't have a problem if it is done impartially. But, where Eknath Shinde and (Deputy Chief Ministers) Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis are contesting, Rs 25 crore has already reached..." Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said.
"Our luggage is checked but are the helicopters and cars of Eknath Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar, Narendra Modi and Amit Shah also checked? Are there only clothes in their bags? Are (election) observers not able to see the money distribution going on in Maharashtra?" he had added.
The ruling alliance had questioned why Mr Thackeray was being so sensitive about a baggage search if he has nothing to hide. Their accusations got sharper after a video of Mr Thackeray questioning an official about the "selective" search was posted online.
Amid the massive political row, the Maharashtra BJP posted a video on X this morning that showed the checking of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' bags, apparently on November 5, though the Opposition claimed it happened after the allegations. "Let it be, some leaders just have a habit of creating drama," the caption read.
Later, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's bags were checked while he was on board a helicopter.
In the afternoon, Mr Shinde's bag was checked by officials in Palghar district.
Ajit Pawar said such measures are needed to ensure free and fair elections.
"Everyone should respect the law and support efforts to uphold the integrity of the country's democracy," Ajit Pawar posted online along with a video of his baggage check at Baramati assembly constituency. Merely holding the Constitution for "show" is not enough and one must also follow the constitutional system, he added.