[Watch] Maharashtra Votes For Its State Assembly Today; Some Popular Faces At Polling Booths

Mumbai: From politicians, actors to sportspersons, voters queued up at polling booths across Maharashtra to cast their franchise for the Maharashtra legislative assembly on Wednesday.

Voting is underway for all 288 seats of the Maharashtra legislative assembly. A total of 4,136 candidates are contesting the elections.
The voting began at 7 am. It will continue till 6 pm. Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged voters of state to vote in large numbers. “Today, votes will be cast for all the seats of Maharashtra Assembly elections. I urge the voters of the state to be a part of it with full enthusiasm and add to the splendor of the festival of democracy. On this occasion, I appeal to all the youth and women voters to vote in large numbers,” he appealed in a post on X.

The bipolar contest

The poll contest in Maharashtra is largely bipolar this time. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in alliance with Ajit Pawar-led NCP and Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena under the ruling Mahayuti banner, is contesting against the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, comprising the Shiv Sena (UBT), the NCP (Sharad Pawar) and the Congress party.

Poll stats
Of the 288 seats, 234 are under general category and 29 seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) and 25 are reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST). Voting will be held across 1,00,186 polling stations in 52,789 locations. Maharashtra has about 9.7 crore (97 million) eligible voters, according to the updated voter’s list.

In focus: Who has cast their franchise?

Since early morning, several celebrities, sportspersons and politicians were spotted at various polling booths in Mumbai. Some of them interacted with reporters after casting the franchise and also flaunted their inked fingers while posing for the shutterbug.
After casting his vote, former Indian Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar said, “I have been an icon of the ECI (Election Commission of India) for quite some time now. The message I am giving is to vote. It is our responsibility. I urge everyone to come out and vote.”

Filmmaker and actor Farhan Akhtar was also spotted outside a polling station.

Son of slain NCP leader Baba Siddique, Zeeshan Siddique, was also seen at a polling station. “For the first time, I have come alone to vote. My father (Baba Siddiqui) is no more. This is different but this will have to be done. I know that my father is with me. I started my day by visiting the graveyard in the morning…I think everyone must vote…” he said.

Among others, actor John Abraham and Sonu Sood were also seen. Son of MNS chief Raj Thackeray’s son and candidate from Mahim, Amit Thackeray said: “Step out in large numbers and vote… I believe (that he is going to win).”

NCP chief Sharad Pawar had also gone to cast his franchise to a polling station.

Actor Ritesh Deshmukh said Maha Vikas Aghadi would win and form its government in Maharashtra.