Uddhav Thackeray's Bag Checks Ignite Political Tensions in Maharashtra

Routine luggage inspections of Thackeray spark accusations of bias as Maharashtra's assembly elections approach.

Uddhav Thackeray's bags were checked twice by election officials in Yavatmal and Latur, leading to a heated political dispute.
Thackeray and his faction of Shiv Sena allege that the checks are biased against opposition leaders while ruling party leaders are not similarly scrutinized.
The Election Commission insists that the bag checks are routine and part of standard operating procedures for all political leaders during campaigns.
Videos of the inspections have been circulated widely on social media, with Thackeray questioning if similar checks are conducted on leaders like PM Modi and Amit Shah.
Ruling party leaders, including Eknath Shinde and Devendra Fadnavis, have also had their bags checked, asserting that such measures are standard and necessary for fair elections.