Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, accompanied by his family, emphasized the significance of voting in the local body elections, calling it a crucial aspect of democracy. Stressing the importance of citizen participation, he urged everyone to exercise their right to vote for good governance and development.
Fadnavis’ wife, Amruta Fadnavis, echoed the sentiment, encouraging citizens to come out and vote, emphasizing the responsibility that comes with the right to vote. She highlighted the need for voters to carefully consider their choices and select candidates who prioritize development and public welfare.
Meanwhile, BJP spokesperson Asif Bhamla expressed satisfaction with the smooth conduct of the polling process but expressed concern over low voter turnout. He urged more citizens to participate in the electoral process as the day progressed to ensure a robust democratic exercise.
The Opposition has accused the ruling alliance of using money power to influence the elections and criticized the State Election Commission for mismanagement of voter lists. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve alleged that the BJP was resorting to monetary tactics, questioning the need for such practices if their focus was truly on development and governance.
Polling for the 29 municipal corporations commenced at 7.30 a.m. and will continue until 5.30 p.m., with a total of 3.48 crore voters set to decide the fate of 15,931 candidates. The counting of votes is scheduled for January 16, following the completion of the polling process.
