NEW DELHI: The BJP hit back sharply at Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray following his recent remarks about his bag being inspected by election officials in Yavatmal, Maharashtra. BJP leaders accused Thackeray of overreacting and called his criticism an attempt to undermine standard procedures.
The controversy began on Monday when Thackeray claimed that his bag had been inspected upon his arrival in Yavatmal for the upcoming November 20 assembly election campaign. Speaking at a rally in Wani to support Shiv Sena (UBT) candidate Sanjay Derkar, Thackeray criticized the inspection, asserting that such checks should apply equally to all leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
Reacting to Thackeray’s comments, BJP IT cell chief Amit Malviya labeled his response “unnecessary” and condemned his rhetoric. “Uddhav Thackeray threatening Election Commission officials for doing their job is the worst thing you will see today… His language is worse than a street lout,” Malviya tweeted, claiming Thackeray’s comments exposed an “ugly face of the MVA.”
Other BJP leaders joined in, dismissing Thackeray’s concerns. BJP MP Anurag Thakur called the inspection routine, suggesting Thackeray’s complaints were unwarranted. “The Election Commission does its work… Why be afraid if there is nothing? A guilty conscience needs no accuser,” he remarked.
Veteran BJP leader Kirit Somaiya further questioned Thackeray’s reaction, saying, “Devendra Fadnavis’s luggage is also checked. Does Uddhav Thackeray think himself to be an emperor? Uddhav is afraid that his stolen money will be caught.”
The incident has fueled a debate over transparency and equal treatment in election procedures.
At the rally, Thackeray elaborated on the inspection, noting that election officials checked his bag as he arrived by helicopter. He urged his supporters to stay vigilant, saying, “Check the pockets and identity cards of officials who check you,” emphasizing the importance of equal treatment. “The way you inspected my bag, did you inspect the bags of Modi and Shah?” he asked, adding that CM Eknath Shinde and deputy CMs Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis should also be subject to checks.
Thackeray further criticized the practice, describing it as undemocratic and stating, “In a democracy, no one is big or small.” He warned that if senior leaders’ bags weren’t inspected, Shiv Sena (UBT) and MVA workers would take it upon themselves to check them during their campaigns. “The police and Election Commission should not intervene, as voters also have the right to check their bags,” he added.
Shiv Sena (UBT) later posted a video on its X handle showing officials inspecting Thackeray’s bag, with Thackeray questioning them on whether similar checks would be conducted for Modi and Shah. When officials mentioned these leaders had yet to arrive, Thackeray replied, “Inspect Modi and Shah’s bag when they arrive and send me a video recording.”
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