Mumbai witnessed a star-studded morning on Thursday as several Bollywood actors, cricketers, and corporate leaders stepped out early to cast their votes in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. The civic polls, considered one of the most crucial in the country, will decide control of the cash-rich BMC, which commands an annual budget of over Rs 74,000 crore.
Actor Akshay Kumar was among the first to arrive at his polling booth. Speaking to reporters after voting, Kumar urged Mumbaikars to exercise their franchise, saying, “Today, the remote control is in our hands. If you want to be the real hero of Mumbai, then instead of dialogues, you should come and vote. Complaining later about electricity, water, and roads won't help—this is the time to act.” His wife, author and actor Twinkle Khanna, also voted, remarking, “It gives us a sense of control, a little bit of power over the narrative. I'm voting out of habit and hope.”
Other film personalities, including actor Sanya Malhotra, musician Vishal Dadlani, actor Junaid Khan, and veteran lyricist Gulzar, were also seen at polling stations across the city. Aamir Khan, Kiran Rao, and John Abraham include other names that make it to this list.
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, accompanied by his wife Anjali and daughter Sara, cast his vote at the Pali-Chimbai Municipal School in Bandra. Tendulkar emphasized the importance of civic polls, saying, “This is a very important election. It gives us a chance to express our opinion through votes. Everyone should come out and cast their votes.”
Adding to the list of prominent voters, Tata Group Chairperson Natarajan Chandrasekaran exercised his franchise and called on citizens to participate actively. “It is a great privilege to have the opportunity to vote, and I would encourage everyone to come out in large numbers. Local issues are extremely important, and I'm glad we are having a BMC election. I'm looking forward to the new administration,” he said.
The electoral battle in Mumbai is intense, with the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance facing off against the coalition of cousins Raj and Uddhav Thackeray. The outcome will determine control over India's wealthiest municipal corporation, making this election a defining moment for the city's governance.
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