Nationalist Congress Party (SP) President Sharad Pawar and his family faced Election Commission checks during the ongoing Maharashtra Assembly elections, triggering sharp reactions from political circles. ECI officials inspected Pawar’s helicopter and luggage en route to a rally in Solapur.
Simultaneously, Pratibha Pawar and her granddaughter Revati Sule were briefly barred from entering the Baramati Hi-Tech Textile Park. Security personnel stopped them outside the gates, citing telephonic instructions. They were allowed entry after a 30-minute standoff.
ECI Checks Raise Political Eyebrows
The Election Commission’s actions, including checks on opposition leaders’ baggage, have raised questions of impartiality. Videos of the incidents involving Sharad Pawar and his family went viral, evoking criticism from NCP (SP) leaders.
Supriya Sule, NCP (SP) Working President, expressed anger over the developments. “My mother and daughter were prevented from entering a park my father helped establish. This is ironic and troubling,” she said.
Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chief Minister and head of the rival NCP faction, denied issuing any directives to stop his aunt or niece. He distanced himself from the incident.
Opposition Leaders Also Face Scrutiny
Other INDIA Bloc leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Uddhav Thackeray, have also been subjected to ECI checks. Thackeray’s baggage check on November 11 sparked outrage, leading to similar inspections of ruling alliance leaders.
The checks on Sharad Pawar and his family have fueled allegations of political motives. NCP (SP) leaders have demanded transparency, questioning the need for such actions during the election period.
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