People wait in queues across Maharashtra, dropping votes into boxes for twenty-nine municipal bodies that decide who runs things close to home. All eyes shift toward Mumbai, where the battle for control of the civic body crackles with tension, watched closely by politicians and neighbors alike.
Around three hours after dawn, ballot stations opened. Continuing nonstop until dusk approaches, ending at five thirty. This moment means more than usual for the Thackeray brothers and sisters. Once distant – nearly two decades apart – they now stand side by side. What drives them? A return to former power. Today, voting unfolds in major cities.
Power shifts rest on uncertain ground within rich urban councils. Mumbai stands among them, alongside Pune and Thine. Navi Mumbai is part of it too, as are Nagpur and Nashik. Pimpri-Chinchwad joins the group, quietly.
Celebrities and Leaders at Polls Before Voting Starts
Faces people recognized started appearing near dawn, arriving at polling spots one after another – politicians, entertainers, public figures blending into the morning light. A vehicle stopped at Gandhi Shikshan Bhavan in Mumbai; out came Akshay Kumar, moving on foot toward where votes were cast, his arrival stirring soft whispers down the waiting line.
Folks saw him close to the voting spot, talking about how each opinion counts in building what’s next. Outcomes change – not fast, but they do – when someone steps up.
“Today, the voting for BMC is taking place. As Mumbaikars, we hold the remote control in our hands. If we want to be the real heroes of Mumbai, we shouldn’t do dialoguebaazi. We should come out and vote,” he said, as quoted by ANI.
Voting Comes First According to Mohan Bhagwat
Early in the day, at a voting center in Naguru, Dr Mohan Bhagwat, who leads the RSS, cast his vote. He believes voting reflects concern for one’s place in society. As he walked away, community responsibility was on his mind. Close by, residents stood still, eyes fixed, while recording devices captured the moment.
“In a democratic system, voting is essential to elect a government. It is the duty of every citizen to vote with balance and public welfare in mind. That is why I came here first and stood in line to vote,” he said.
Conflict Over Control in Cities
Fresh off the mark, Mumbai and Pune prepare for heated political battles in the BMC elections. Despite tensions, BJP and Shiv Sena continue aligning under Mahayuti in several urban bodies. On another track, NCP chooses independence in numerous civic regions.
Yet unity has returned among the divided NCP factions in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad around a single goal. When talks between Shiv Sena under Eknath Shinde and BJP fell apart over seat sharing, it sparked moves toward separate routes – Ajit Pawar’s wing pulled away in several areas. Now that moment seems behind them.
What’s at Stake
A single victor emerges from each ward during Mumbai’s municipal votes, where voters select only one name. Power gained in these corners ripples outward, shaping political tides throughout the region before long. What happens locally bends the direction of influence further than expected.
In 2017, people chose who would serve on the BMC. By 2026, old rivals team up whereas once-close partners drift into separate camps – so local voting starts to echo bigger political murmurs down the road.
Results Tomorrow
Half past five today marks the close of voting. Come Thursday, counting begins – sharp at ten. All eyes stick to Mumbai, also watching Pune closely. People across the region wait quietly. This city race has been narrower than expected.
