Tue Nov 12 13:15:01 UTC 2024: ## Uddhav Thackeray Accuses Election Officials of Bias After Bag Searches, Sparks Row with Shinde Faction

**Latur, Maharashtra:** A heated exchange between former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and election officials during a routine bag check has ignited a new political firestorm just days before the state assembly elections. Thackeray, campaigning for his Shiv Sena (UBT) faction, accused the officials of bias, claiming they only targeted his party’s leaders while turning a blind eye to those from the ruling alliance.

The incident occurred in the Latur district on Tuesday, following a similar incident in Yavatmal on Monday. In a video shared online, Thackeray can be seen demanding the names and IDs of the officers searching his luggage, accusing them of selective enforcement. He went on to request their appointment letters and even asked them to empty their pockets to prove they weren’t carrying any cash.

“We have no problem with you…the only thing that concerns me…we should not do other peoples’ jobs,” Thackeray stated, claiming that the Election Commission does not search bags of leaders from the ruling party or alliance, who he alleges are distributing cash for votes.

Thackeray’s aide, Sanjay Raut, amplified the accusations, demanding to know if bags of leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah were similarly checked. He questioned the impartiality of the process, suggesting that vast sums of money are being distributed by the ruling alliance to influence voters.

The Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, refuted the allegations, stating that Shinde’s bags had been checked in Nashik during the April-June general elections without any complaint.

The Election Commission, however, maintained that strict protocols were followed during the checks, citing routine procedures for ensuring a fair and transparent election process.

With voting scheduled for November 20, the incident has escalated tensions between the two rival Sena factions. The Thackeray-led Sena (UBT) is allied with the Congress and the NCP, while the Shinde-led faction is backing the BJP. The accusations of bias and alleged cash distribution will likely cast a shadow over the upcoming elections.

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