Maharashtra Election 2024: Maharashtra sees 32.18% turnout till 1 pm; polling largely peaceful

Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran voted at a polling booth in Peddar Road, Mumbai. “It is a precious privilege to have the opportunity to vote. I encourage everyone to exercise this right today,” he said.

Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran voted at a polling booth in Peddar Road, Mumbai. (Express Photo by Ganesh Shirsekar)

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, accompanied by his wife Rashmi and son Aaditya Thackeray, cast their votes in Bandra, while the BJP candidate in Nagpur South-West, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, voted with his wife and mother. He called the election “the biggest festival of democracy” and urged citizens to vote, stating, “Voting is not just our right; it is also our responsibility.”

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, after casting his vote, praised the state’s progress. “Maharashtra is a progressive and prosperous state, attracting the highest foreign investment. Agricultural exports are also on the rise. This state serves as a role model for the country,” he remarked.

Actor Anupam Kher lauded the Election Commission for the smooth conduct of the elections, calling the process “very well organized”. He urged citizens to vote, asking, “If someone does not vote today, can they complain over the next five years?”

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader and former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, accompanied by his wife Rashmi and son Aaditya Thackeray, cast their votes in Bandra. (Express Photo by Pradip Das)

Lyricist Gulzar, along with his daughter Meghna Gulzar and Bollywood stars including Farhan Akhtar, Rajkummar Rao, Ali Fazal, Ahana Kumra, and Kabir Khan, were also among those who voted in the elections.

While voting proceeded smoothly across most constituencies, there were tensions in Nandgaon, where heated arguments and a scuffle broke out between Shiv Sena candidate Suhas Kande and independent nominee Sameer Bhujbal.