In a development that sought to blunt the Opposition's criticism that the Election Commission of India (ECI) was targeting the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) leaders, a team of ECI officials checked the bags of Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah, when he landed in a helicopter in the Hingoli district to address a rally in poll-bound Maharashtra. Posting a video clip on his handle on micro-blogging site "X", Shah wrote: "Today, during my election campaign in Hingoli Assembly constituency of Maharashtra, my helicopter was inspected by Election Commission officials. BJP believes in fair elections and a healthy election system and follows all the rules made by the Honourable Election Commission. We all must contribute to a healthy election system and perform our duties in keeping India as the strongest democracy in the world". Chief Election Officer (CEO) had clarified that the ECI was following the Standard Operating Procedures.
