Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Election 2026: Polling stations echo with the presence of stars, all eyes on BMC

Maharashtra BMC Elections: Voting is being held for 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra on Thursday, January 15. In this big festival of democracy, voters are reaching the booths in the entire state to elect the government of their cities. This time, the biggest headline is Mumbai’s Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), whose annual budget is around Rs 74,400 crore and which has a direct impact on the direction and condition of the country’s financial capital.

Voting is going on from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm for 893 wards and 2,869 seats across the state. 3.48 crore voters and 15,931 candidates are trying their luck in this election contest. The special thing was that on the day of voting, many big personalities of Bollywood and art world were also seen at the polling booth to cast their vote.

Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna cast their vote

Bollywood’s famous couple Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna cast their vote while participating in the BMC elections. After voting, Twinkle Khanna said,"I think it gives us a sense of control, a little bit of ownership over the story, and I’m voting out of both habit and expectation."

Akshay Kumar appealed to the people of Mumbai and said,"Today is the BMC elections and as Mumbaikars, today is the day when power is in our hands. Therefore, all the people of Mumbai should come out and vote instead of complaining later. Everyone should vote to elect the right people. If you want to be the real hero of Mumbai, then instead of making speeches, come and vote."

Sunil Shetty, Gulzar and Nana Patekar’s appeal

Actor Sunil Shetty, famous poet-lyricist Gulzar and actor Nana Patekar were also seen voting at the polling stations. Nana Patekar, who returned from Pune to Mumbai to cast his vote, said,"I traveled for more than three hours to cast my vote because it is so important in a democracy, and I am returning immediately. I urge everyone to come out and exercise their franchise."

He further told PTI,"The experience was good and the arrangements were well organized. Everyone should come out and vote, because this is the most important election at the grassroots level. When your area develops, the country develops. We often blame BMC, but they work tirelessly – even late at night. We should take responsibility for problems like garbage and pollution. Mumbai’s infrastructure is developing at an incredible pace and public cooperation is essential. I had no dilemma about whom to vote for. People vote only for those who work."

While talking about strengthening democracy, Gulzar said,"We are connected to our motherland, and your vote is to nurture those roots and nurture democracy, so make sure to fulfill this duty."

Aamir Khan’s family also participated in voting

Participation of film families was also seen in the voting. Aamir Khan’s ex-wife Reena Dutta along with her son Junaid Khan and daughter Ira Khan reached Bandra to cast her vote.

After voting Junaid Khan said,"Please come and vote, it is very important and everyone should come and vote."

Reaction of Hema Malini, Vishal Dadlani and Divya Dutta

Actress and BJP MP Hema Malini said after casting her vote,"I urge everyone to come out and vote. Just like I had come this morning to vote. If you want safety, progress, clean air and pothole-free roads in Mumbai, we all have to take responsibility and vote. Only by exercising your right to vote can you make Mumbai, which I consider the best city in the world, even better. I request all the citizens of Mumbai to come and vote for the right candidates."

Singer-composer Vishal Dadlani expressed concern over the low turnout at polling stations and said,"It is expected that whichever candidate wins will conduct the elections on time. This is very important for the country and democracy. But looking at the situation in our city in the last few days, the hope is that the situation will improve. I have stopped appealing to people to vote… What I see here is that public attendance is negligible. There are mostly officers inside, this is very shameful. Every Indian should be sad to see this. If we don’t take care of our country, if we don’t take responsibility for it, what’s happening will keep happening… First of all, air and water should be clean, which are basic necessities for human life."

Actress Divya Dutta also appealed to the people to vote and said,"Voting is our right, and we should come out of our homes and cast our vote. I think we should consider pollution, employment and other issues. I think the right leaders will listen to the right demands of the people of Mumbai."