Maharashtra assembly polls: Election Commission inspects Rahul Gandhi's helicopter amid bag-checking row

NEW DELHI: The Election Commission of India on Saturday inspected Congress leader Rahul Gandhi 's bag in Maharashtra's Amravati.

This comes a day after the poll body searched Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Hingoli amid the ongoing controversy over checking Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray 's bag on the last three occasions.

A team of officials was seen in a video searching Gandhi's helicopter with the Congress leader standing nearby. As the check continued, Rahul Gandhi walked away and was seen engaging with party leaders.

Earlier, Congress complained to the Election Commission against the alleged grounding of Rahul Gandhi's helicopter in Jharkhand. The party's poll body sought its urgent intervention in ensuring a level playing field in poll campaigning.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh alleged that Gandhi's chopper was not allowed to take off due to restrictions, leading to his public meetings being either delayed or cancelled.