Maharashtra Polls: Voting Underway for BMC and Maharashtra Civic Polls, Celebrities and Leaders Urge High Turnout

Voting is underway across Maharashtra for civic body elections, including the high-stakes Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls, as Mumbai voters step out to elect their local representatives. Polling began at 7:30 am, and by 9:30 am, a voter turnout of 6.98% had been recorded in Mumbai, with officials expecting the figure to rise steadily through the day. Several political leaders and celebrities were seen casting their votes early, encouraging citizens to actively participate in the democratic process. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray reached the polling booth to vote, as the Thackeray brothers united for this election, strongly campaigning on issues of Marathi identity and local governance. The BMC election is being held for 227 seats, with nearly 1,700 candidates in the fray. Bollywood actors Akshay Kumar and Nana Patekar also cast their votes, appealing to Mumbaikars to step out and vote rather than complain about civic issues like roads, water supply, electricity, and sanitation. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari voted and expressed confidence that the ruling Mahayuti alliance would secure a majority. Political parties are locked in a tight contest, with Shiv Sena factions and BJP highlighting development work, while opposition leaders stress Marathi pride and local issues. With first-time voters and even overseas Mumbaikars returning to vote, the civic polls are being seen as a crucial test of public sentiment.