Checked Uddhav’s bags, asks EC if they are Modi & Shah | checks India News – Times of India

NAGPUR/NASIK: Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray expressed outrage after his bags were checked by officials deployed by the EC in Wani. Yavatmalprior to a rally Saturday. A video circulated by the party shows Thackeray’s bags being examined, a move he called “biased” and questioned whether such checks were carried out on Prime Minister Modi, Amit Shah, Eknath Shinde or Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar.
“I don’t mind if you check my water jugs, fuel tank or even my urine pot,” he told the officials, “but make sure you check Modi’s and Shah’s bags too and send me those videos.” Thackeray wondered why officials of his party were subjected to such scrutiny while BJP netas reportedly were not.
Reacting to Thackeray’s comments, Yavatmal Collector Pankaj Ashiya said, “This process is being carried out in accordance with the EC’s instructions. Three days ago, when Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis visited Yavatmal district, his helicopter and bag were also inspected.
Later, while addressing the rally in Darwha for Congress candidate Manikrao Thakre, Thackeray alleged that the agency was biased for allocating his party’s name and symbol to other factions, a reference to CM Shinde’s group. Thackeray claimed that Modi and Shah’s bags had been checked earlier, but said it should be standard practice to verify the bags of all political leaders equally.
“If these BJP star campaigners are here just to campaign, they should be treated like the representative of any other candidate,” Thackeray argued. “Justice must be equal for everyone. Don’t greet them here as Prime Minister or Prime Minister – they are here as party campaigners, not as heads of government.” Thackeray also called on EC to ensure a level playing field, adding that if they do not have the courage to apply the same rules to all leaders, his Shiv Sainiks would conduct the checks themselves.