Tue Nov 12 13:21:04 UTC 2024: ## Uddhav Thackeray’s Luggage Check Sparks Row Between Shiv Sena Factions

Yavatmal, Maharashtra – A routine check of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray’s luggage on Monday has sparked a political row between his Shiv Sena faction and the group led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

Thackeray’s party alleged that the check was politically motivated, questioning why bags of ruling party leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Chief Minister Shinde were not similarly inspected during their campaigns.

Shinde’s camp refuted the allegations, stating that Shinde’s luggage was indeed checked during campaigning in Nashik earlier this year. The party spokesperson, Krishna Hegde, said the Shinde camp did not create an uproar as the Thackeray faction is doing now.

Thackeray’s Sena leader Sanjay Raut accused the ruling party of distributing cash for votes, claiming Rs 25 crores have already reached areas where Shinde, Deputy Chief Ministers Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis are contesting. He questioned why only his party’s luggage is being thoroughly checked.

Videos shared on social media show Thackeray confronting a poll official who inspected his bags, asking if bags of Modi, Shah, and Fadnavis had been checked. The official confirmed he had not inspected their bags as they have not yet campaigned in the region. Thackeray then demanded that the official check their bags when they arrive and send him a video of the inspection.

While the Election Commission sources confirmed that strict protocols are followed for checking political leaders’ luggage and helicopters during campaigning, the incident has ignited a familiar political storm in Maharashtra, where each party accuses the other of using cash to influence voters.

The Maharashtra Assembly elections are scheduled for November 20, with results expected three days later. Thackeray’s Sena faction, allied with the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party, is facing off against the BJP and the Shinde-Ajit Pawar led faction of the Sena and NCP.

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