Maharashtra Polls 2024: EC Officials Check Mallikarjun Kharge's Bag In Nashik

The Election Commission on Thursday frisked the bags of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge when his helicopter landed in Nashik. Kharge is actively campaigning for the Maharashtra Assembly elections. This incident follows a similar pattern, as Uddhav Thackeray's bags were checked for the third time on Wednesday in Shrigonda, Ahmednagar.

On Wednesday, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar also had his bags examined by election officials while he was on a helicopter for campaign purposes. Pawar expressed that such checks are essential to maintain fair elections. A video shared on Pawar's X account showed an official inspecting his bags and discovering snacks like 'chaklis' and 'ladoos'.

Bag Checks Amidst Campaigns

Earlier, the Maharashtra BJP shared a video on X showing Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis' bags being checked. The party commented that merely holding the Constitution is insufficient; one must adhere to constitutional principles. These videos seem to counter Uddhav Thackeray's allegations of being unfairly targeted by election authorities.

Thackeray had previously claimed that his bags were scrutinised by election officials during his visits to Latur and Yavatmal districts over the past two days. He questioned whether similar measures would be applied to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders from the ruling alliance during their campaigns.

The scrutiny of political leaders' belongings has become a focal point in the lead-up to the November 20 state assembly elections. The Election Commission's actions have sparked discussions about fairness and transparency in the electoral process.

As political campaigns intensify, these bag checks highlight the efforts to ensure integrity in the electoral process. The focus remains on maintaining equal treatment for all candidates, regardless of their political affiliations.