Maharashtra Elections: IAF Helicopters Drop Polling Personnel in Gadchiroli
In preparation for the upcoming Maharashtra elections, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has begun using MI-17 helicopters to helidrop polling personnel and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the Aheri Assembly constituency. This operation, which started early Sunday morning, involves 76 polling stations and will continue until November 19. The EVMs and personnel are being dropped at 14 base camps located at police stations for further distribution.
The Maharashtra assembly elections are set for November 20, with vote counting for all 288 constituencies scheduled for November 23. The opposition coalition, Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which includes Congress, Shiv Sena (UBT), and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), aims to regain power from the Mahayuti alliance, consisting of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Ajit Pawar-led NCP.
In the 2019 elections, the BJP secured 105 seats, Shiv Sena 56, and Congress 44. Comparatively, in 2014, the BJP won 122 seats, Shiv Sena 63, and Congress 42.
Controversy arose when a video of senior Congress leader Nitin Raut surfaced, claiming he was removed from the Vilas Rao Deshmukh cabinet for using the ‘Jai Bheem’ greeting. This incident has led to criticism from BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla, who accused Congress of being Anti-Dalit and Anti-Ambedkar. Poonawalla also criticized Rahul Gandhi, alleging Congress’s historical opposition to elections and Dalit rights.
Maharashtra BJP women’s wing chief Chitra Kishor Wagh echoed these sentiments, accusing Congress of being anti-reservation and anti-backward class.
Doubts Revealed
IAF -: IAF stands for Indian Air Force, which is the air arm of the Indian Armed Forces. They use aircraft like helicopters and planes to help in various operations, including during elections.
MI-17 helicopters -: MI-17 helicopters are a type of aircraft used by the Indian Air Force. They are used to transport people and goods, especially in areas that are hard to reach by road.
Polling personnel -: Polling personnel are people who help conduct elections. They make sure that voting happens smoothly and fairly.
Electronic Voting Machines -: Electronic Voting Machines, or EVMs, are devices used to record votes in elections. They help make the voting process faster and more accurate.
Aheri Assembly constituency -: Aheri Assembly constituency is a specific area in Maharashtra where people vote for their representative in the state assembly.
Maha Vikas Aghadi -: Maha Vikas Aghadi is a political coalition in Maharashtra. It includes parties like the Congress, Shiv Sena, and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP).
Mahayuti alliance -: Mahayuti alliance is another political coalition in Maharashtra. It includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and other parties.
Nitin Raut -: Nitin Raut is a leader from the Congress party in India. He is involved in politics and sometimes makes news for his statements or actions.
Anti-Dalit -: Anti-Dalit refers to actions or statements that are against Dalits, who are a group of people in India that have historically faced discrimination. Being Anti-Dalit is considered very wrong and unfair.
