Poll Officials Inspect Nitin Gadkari's Helicopter Amidst Row Over Uddhav Thackeray’s Bag Checking

Latur: poll officials, on Tuesday, checked Union Minister Nitin Gkari 's helicopter in Maharashtra 's Latur amidst ongoing assembly election in state. election officials action came up amidst a massive political uproar over poll officials checking of Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray’s bag. According to official sources, helicopter of Union Minister for Ro, Transport and Highways was checked by election officials in Maharashtra 's Latur on Tuesday when he arrived for a campaign re.

Earlier, Uddhav Thackeray h raised questions after his two bag checks incidents took place by election officials, once in Yavatmal and anor time in Latur.

A video of Latur showed poll officials hopping on helicopter after Nitin Gkari landed, and going through several bags kept re.

Earlier in day, sources in Election Commission described Uddhav Thackeray's bags as part of SOPs for "a level playing field". Thackeray's checking of bags twice sparked a controversy, with former Maharashtra Chief Minister claiming it was an undue hassle aimed at Opposition ahe of state Assembly polls on November 20.

With Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in force, poll officials regularly carry out surprise checks to prevent distribution of gifts and cash to lure voters.

Thackeray's bag was first checked on Monday, after his helicopter landed in Yavatmal. scene repeated itself next day in Latur, where Thackeray's helicopter was again subjected to same checks upon his arrival for a rally supporting former MLA Dinkar Mane, Sena (UBT) candidate in Ausa constituency.

Shiv Sena (UBT) posted a video on X (formerly Twitter), showing Thackeray conversing with poll officials, questioning need for repeated searches.

In video, Thackeray, visibly perturbed, asked officials for ir names, postings, and appointment letters. "How many people have you searched so far?" he asked.

When informed that he was first person to be checked, Thackeray replied, "Why am I always first customer?"

former Chief Minister was also heard asking if election authorities also inspect bags of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah when y come to Maharashtra to dress rallies.

Leers of ruling Mahayuti alliance asked why former chief minister was opposed to checks if he h nothing to hide.

However, leers from Maha Vikas Aghi (MVA) argued that incident was just an attempt to trouble opposition ahe of Maharashtra Assembly polls.