Supporters of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) raised slogans on Thursday during a tour of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in the city of Nashik in Maharashtra, prompting him to respond with an action indicating the bow and arrow symbol, PTI reported.
The bow and arrow are also the symbol of their party.
CM Shinde was campaigning for Hemant Godse, his party’s candidate from the Nashik Lok Sabha constituency.
Some supporters of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) shouted slogans in support of their party’s candidate Parag Waje and displayed the party’s ‘flaming torch’ symbol as Shinde’s tour party passed through Marathon Chowk, PTI reported. .
The prime minister responded by performing the action of shooting an arrow from a bow.
The bow and arrow electoral symbol of the undivided Shiv Sena was handed over to CM Eknath Shinde group after the party split in 2022 when the Election Commission recognized his faction as the real Shiv Sena.
Election officials check CM Shinde’s luggage in Nashik
Meanwhile, election officials on Thursday checked the luggage of Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde upon his arrival at a helipad in Maharashtra’s Nashik, PTI reported.
The development comes days after Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut alleged that CM Shinde was carrying hidden bags of cash in a helicopter, according to PTI.
According to PTI, the officials did not find anything objectionable in CM Shinde’s bags.
“I carry so much luggage. It contains my clothes. Even today I have brought suitcases,” CM Eknath Shinde told reporters when asked about checking his bags, the news agency reported on Thursday.
CM Shinde was in Nashik to seek support for incumbent MP Hemant Godse, who has been renominated by Shiv Sena for Lok Sabha Elections 2024. He also participated in a motorcycle rally in the city.
Sanjay Raut on Monday alleged that CM Shinde carried bags full of cash in a helicopter to Nashik. He had posted a video on X, which showed Shinde descending from a helicopter and some people around him carrying big bags.
“If they claim to have the support of the people, why do they need money to attract voters?” asked Sanjay Raut during a media interaction.
“The authorities have had time to inspect our helicopters, but no action has been taken against these people,” he said.
(with PTI inputs)