Poll officials check Shinde’s bags at city helipad, say ‘found nothing objectionable’ | India News

NASHIK: Poll officials checked chief minister Eknath Shinde‘s luggage bags after his chopper landed at the helipad in the city on Thursday, days after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut alleged that the CM had carried bags stashed with cash in a helicopter.
Shinde told reporters that the election officials did not find anything objectionable in the bags.He was in Nashik to seek support for incumbent MP Hemant Godse who has been renominated by Shiv Sena.
Nashik district collector Jalaj Sharma, who’s also the returning officer for the Nashik LS constituency, said the CM’s bags were checked in accordance with the Election Commission of India’s guidelines. He also said nothing objectionable was found in the bags.
Though Shinde said the bags contained clothes, he avoided commenting further on the issue. Shinde said he “does know who Raut is and will not comment further on the issue…The party spokesperson will speak on the issue.”
He said, “Opposition party leaders have no issues related to developments. They are only sparking such controversies. We don’t need to use money during the elections, as we are contesting the polls on the basis of the development works. People will vote for Mahayuti on the basis of developments.”
During Shinde’s last visit to Nashik on May 12, Raut had sparked a controversy by emphasising checking the bags the CM carried with him. He had raised questions about the material carried in the bags especially since the Lok Sabha elections were on. Raut had also shared a video clip on his X handle, showing the CM’s security personnel carrying black bags after his chopper landed on the police ground.