BJP Hits Back at Uddhav Thackeray
Maha Politics: A day after the political controversy sparked by Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray’s luggage being checked at an airport, the BJP hit back by posting a video of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis undergoing a similar security frisking. Without directly naming Thackeray, the ruling party took a jibe at him, claiming that “some leaders have a habit of showing off,” while highlighting that Fadnavis did not make a fuss over his own luggage check.
The Maharashtra BJP, in a post on X, pointed out that Fadnavis’ bags were inspected in Yavatmal on November 7 and Kolhapur on November 5, but he did not make an issue of it. In a subtle swipe at the Opposition’s “Save Constitution” slogan, the BJP remarked that it was not enough to merely flaunt the Constitution — it must also be upheld through actions.
https://x.com/BJP4Maharashtra/status/1856525139342737732
The controversy began when a video circulated on social media showing Uddhav Thackeray questioning an officer during a routine bag check in Yavatmal. Thackeray was heard asking the officer, “I won’t stop you… you are following your responsibility. I am following mine. Search, search whatever you want to search. But did you check the bags of Devendra Fadnavis, Narendra Modi, or Amit Shah?” When the officer responded that BJP leaders had not yet campaigned in the area, Thackeray retorted that the officer should ensure their bags are checked the next time they visit and send him a video of it.
Thackeray’s ally, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut, defended the questioning, saying there was no problem with luggage searches as long as they were “impartial.” He then alleged that “₹25 crores have already reached” where Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Ministers Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis are contesting elections.
In response, Shinde Sena spokesperson Krishna Hegde swiftly countered, accusing Raut of making baseless allegations. Hegde reminded that Shinde’s bags were checked in Nashik during the general election campaign, yet Shinde did not create a scene or stir up controversy like the Thackeray camp had done.
