BMC Election 2026: Akshay Kumar says 'we shouldn't do dialoguebaazi' after casting his vote for Maharashtra civic polls. Watch video

Twenty-nine municipal corporations across Maharashtra are casting their votes today, with spotlight on Mumbai, where the BJP and Shiv Sena are locked in an intense battle with the Thackeray brothers and the NCP. The voting started at 7.30 am, and the polls are widely viewed as crucial for the Thackeray brothers, who have come together again after two decades, to reassert their legacy as Bal Thackeray’s political heirs and secure their future to take control of the cash-rich Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The BMC elections have set the stage for a decisive political contest in key urban centres, including Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, Navi Mumbai, Thane and Pimpri-Chinchwad.

Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar was among the first celebrities to reach a polling booth on Thursday morning to cast his vote in the ongoing Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. Politicians, actors and eminent personalities were seen casting their votes for the BMC civic polls early morning on Thursday. Actor Akshay Kumar arrived at a polling station at Gandhi Shikshan Bhavan to cast his vote for the BMC elections.

'Shouldn't do dialoguebaazi', says Akshay Kumar

Akshay Kumar, after casting his votes for BMC civic polls said that people have to be real hero Mumbai, they should do 'dialoguebaazi' and rather come out of their homes and cast their votes. After casting his vote, Akshay spoke to reporters outside the polling station and emphasised the importance of voting and encouraged people to take part in the election process.


"Today, the voting for BMC is taking place. As Mumbaikars, we have the remote control with us today. I would request all the people of Mumbai to come out in large numbers and cast their votes. If we have to be the real hero of Mumbai, we shouldn't do dialoguebaazi, instead come out and cast our votes," he was quoted as ANI as saying.



RSS Chief Dr Mohan Bhagwat cast his votes for BMC civic elections in Nagpur. After casting his vote, RSS Chief Dr Mohan Bhagwat said, "In a democratic setup, voting is essential to elect the government, and hence it is the duty of every citizen. With a balanced view and people's welfare in mind, it is our duty to vote for the right candidate. It is the first duty of the day, and that is why I came here first to stand in line and vote."

Polling began at 7:30 am on Thursday, January 15, and will continue until 5:30 pm. The counting of votes is scheduled to take place on Friday, January 16.

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Mumbai civic poll results tomorrow

In the BMC, India's largest and richest civic body, only one member is elected from each ward, and so each voter will have to cast only one vote. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Shiv Sena are contesting the civic elections as allies under the Mahayuti banner, except in Pune, while the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has chosen to fight independently in most corporations. However, in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, both NCP factions have come together under a joint manifesto.

The main political battle remains centred on Mumbai and Pune, where the BJP-led Mahayuti will face the united Thackeray camp. The last BMC elections were held in 2017.

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Ajit Pawar's faction of the Nationalist Congress Party is going solo after the BJP demanded that it strip its corruption-accused leader Nawab Malik of all key responsibilities. In Pune, in a major political realignment, both factions of the NCP came together just before the civic polls for the PMC, following a split in 2023. Ajit Pawar joined hands with Sharad Pawar again and contested against the NDA partner BJP in Pune, whereas Shivsena, led by Eknath Shidne opted to go solo in PMC after failing to set up an acceptable seat-sharing formula with BJP. The voting will conclude at 5:30 pm, and the counting of votes will begin at 10 am on January 16.

(With ANI inputs)