NEW DELHI: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut accused the Election Commission of partiality in its inspection procedures during election campaigns. Raut claimed that while Shiv Sena leaders face rigorous scrutiny of their luggage, helicopters, and private vehicles, prominent leaders from the ruling alliance seem to bypass similar checks.
Raut alleged, “Our luggage, helicopter, private jet, cars, everything is checked. They reach our homes. We dont have a problem with it if it is done impartially. Where Eknath Shinde, Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis are contesting, 25-25 crores have already reached. We also showed videos during the Lok Sabha elections of how 20-20 bags were brought via helicopters. 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 the observers not able to see the money distribution going on in Maharashtra?”
“If someone checked PM Modi’s helicopter in Odisha, that person was suspended. Does PM Modi not come under the jurisdiction of the Election Commission? Can the PM, HM and union minister distribute anything among the people? What kind of unbiased justice is this?” he added.
This issue surfaced after Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray shared a similar experience on Monday. Addressing a public gathering in Wani, Yavatmal, where he was campaigning for the November 20 assembly elections, Thackeray recounted how his own bag was inspected upon arrival.
“They reached our homes; they scrutinize every item we carry. But will they also check the bags of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders?” he asked, questioning the impartiality of the ECI.
Thackeray’s remarks came during his support for Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Sanjay Derkar, where he urged supporters and voters to “check the pockets and identity cards of officials” conducting the searches, highlighting the perceived imbalance in enforcement. “I am not upset with the election authorities; they are doing their job. But I have my responsibility too,” Thackeray emphasized, calling for a level playing field.
In a video shared by Shiv Sena (UBT) on their X handle, Thackeray is seen questioning the election officials’ selective scrutiny. He asked if they had inspected the bags of leaders from the ruling alliance, specifically mentioning CM Shinde, Deputy CMs Fadnavis and Pawar, as well as PM Modi and home minister Shah. When officials responded that these leaders hadn’t yet visited the region, Thackeray challenged them to inspect the bags of Modi and Shah and send a video as proof.
Thackeray also expressed frustration over what he termed “undemocratic practices,” stating, “In a democracy, no one should be above scrutiny. If the Election Commission fails to check the ruling leaders’ bags, Shiv Sena (UBT) and opposition MVA workers will take up the responsibility themselves.”