EC officials check CM Eknath Shinde's bag in Palghar

Police ground helipad as part of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Eknath Shinde arrived in Palghar for an Assembly election campaign where ECI officials, as a security precaution, checked CM's bags and helicopter after it landed. Earlier, bags of deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, Ajit Pawar were also checked by EC officials in Baramati on Wednesday. The Maharashtra BJP had also posted a video on X showing officials checking Devendra Fadnavis' bags.

जाऊ द्या, काही नेत्यांना तमाशा करण्याची सवयच असते!
हा व्हीडिओ पहा, 7 नोव्हेंबरला यवतमाळ जिल्ह्यात आमचे नेते मा. देवेंद्रजी फडणवीस यांच्या बॅगची तपासणी झाली. पण, त्यांनी ना कोणता व्हीडिओ काढला, ना कोणती आगपाखड केली. तत्पूर्वी, 5 नोव्हेंबर रोजी कोल्हापूर विमानतळावर सुद्धा मा.… pic.twitter.com/ebkuigJE2E

— भाजपा महाराष्ट्र (@BJP4Maharashtra) November 13, 2024

In a jab at Uddhav Thackeray, the BJP remarked that "some leaders have a habit of showing off". "What is wrong with checking bags? We had our bags checked during campaigning, and there was no need for this level of frustration," Devendra Fadnavis said. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar shared a video claiming his bags were also checked by poll officials while he was on his way to campaign for the Assembly elections.

Today, while on my way for election campaigning, the Election Commission conducted a routine check of my bags and helicopter. I fully cooperated and believe that such measures are essential to ensure free and fair elections. Let us all respect the law and support efforts to… pic.twitter.com/lVDUPh174u

— Ajit Pawar (@AjitPawarSpeaks) November 13, 2024

With the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in force, poll officials regularly carry out surprise checks to prevent distribution of gifts and cash to lure voters.Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, during the announcement of the ongoing assembly elections, also emphasized that enforcement agencies have been directed to check the helicopters of all leaders to ensure a level playing field.This move aims to prevent any undue influence or misuse of power during the elections and to maintain fairness and transparency in the electoral process.