In a fresh political controversy, the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction has launched a sharp attack on Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, alleging that suitcases seen being unloaded from his helicopter during campaigning in the Konkan region contained money meant for distribution ahead of local body elections.
The Allegation and the Viral Video
The row erupted on Tuesday after Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut shared a video on social media platform X. The clip showed several bags being taken off a helicopter from which Shinde had just alighted. Sanjay Raut directly questioned what the Deputy Chief Minister was carrying in those suitcases. Former Sena (UBT) MLA Vaibhav Naik was more explicit, claiming that "money was brought in the big suitcases to distribute in the Konkan."
Raut, in his post, made a pointed reference to previous incidents, stating, "In Malvan, the BJP's bags got an answer through suitcases. Even before this, these suitcases landed in Nashik. Is this the state of democracy? Jai Maharashtra." Naik further escalated the charge, alleging, "Both BJP and Shinde Sena have won elections only through distributing money…the Lok Sabha and assembly elections. Now they are making allegations of money distribution against each other."
Defense from the Shinde Camp
Ministers from the Shinde-led Shiv Sena swiftly dismissed the allegations as baseless. Minister Uday Samant offered a practical explanation, stating that leaders who campaign continuously for 8-10 days need to carry clothes, which are kept in such bags. He took a dig at the UBT faction, saying their leaders, who "never leave their homes for campaigning," would not understand such necessities.
Another Shinde Sena MLA, Deepak Kesarkar, reiterated that the bags contained only personal belongings. "After Sindhudurg, Dy CM Shinde was on a visit to Solapur. One has to take one's own clothes with him while traveling. The criticism on that is condemnable," Kesarkar stated. Sena MLA Nilesh Rane challenged the accusers, saying if they had concrete knowledge of money distribution, they should have filed an official complaint with the State Election Commission (SEC), which records all helicopter movements via CCTV.
A History of Baggage Scrutiny
This incident is not isolated. It echoes a similar confrontation from last month during the assembly election campaign. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray had a heated exchange with government officials after his bags were searched upon his arrival in Yavatmal for campaigning. The latest allegations from his party against Shinde appear to mirror that earlier friction, highlighting the tense and accusatory atmosphere prevailing in Maharashtra politics.
The suitcase saga underscores the deep mistrust and bitter rivalry between the two Shiv Sena factions. It has shifted the campaign narrative in the Konkan region, with allegations of financial malpractice taking center stage. As both sides trade barbs, the controversy raises questions about the conduct of electioneering and keeps the spotlight firmly on the ongoing political battle in the state.
