The voting has begun as Maharashtra takes to the polls today to choose its new assembly. Voters in Mumbai and Pune, two of the state’s political powerhouses, are at the centre of this fierce contest. Both cities hold significant sway, with Mumbai comprising 36 constituencies and Pune contributing 21 to the 288-member assembly. The stakes are high as these urban centres are home to several “swing seats” – constituencies with unpredictable voter allegiances, making them critical battlegrounds in this election.The Mahayuti alliance, led by the BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), and NCP (Ajit Pawar faction), faces off against the Maha Vikas Aghadi coalition, consisting of Congress, NCP (Sharad Pawar faction), and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray camp). With the memory of Shiv Sena and NCP splits fresh in voters’ minds, the elections promise a showdown between alliances and smaller players like MNS, AIMIM, and VBA aiming to make a mark.Also Read: Here are the 5 latest updates on Mumbai, Pune voting:
The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC) has announced extended operational hours for the newly inaugurated underground Mumbai Metro Line 3 on Wednesday. This move aims to facilitate smooth travel for voters and election staff during the Maharashtra Assembly elections. Shiv Sena candidate Shaina NC, contesting from Mumba Devi, expressed confidence in her campaign while urging voters to fulfil their civic duty. She remarked, "I have received the blessings of Maa Mumbadevi from the very first day... I hope that I work in service of the people and public interest... On hand there is our PM and on the other is the CM, Deputy CM – there has been cooperation from everyone... When we have the blessings of Ma Mumbadevi, I believe that victory is certain... I urge the people to come out and vote because when you vote, you carry out your moral responsibility." Commenting on NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule and BJP leader Vinod Tawde, Shaina NC avoided speculation, saying, "I don't want to go into any speculation. This is the day of the decision... The manner in which Mahayuti govt has worked, we want to work at the same speed." Bollywood actors turned up early at polling booths in Mumbai to exercise their democratic rights during the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024. Actor Rajkummar Rao, after voting at Gyan Kendra Secondary School, emphasised the importance of participation, saying, "It is our right in democracy, so it's important that we step outside to vote. I have performed my duties." Actor Akshay Kumar was among the first celebrities to arrive at the polling station. Greeting the paparazzi with a cheerful "good morning," he made his way to cast his vote, setting an example for others. The number of voters in Pune district, including Pune city, has grown by over 11 lakh since the 2019 state assembly elections. To accommodate this increase, 608 new polling stations have been set up for the 2024 elections, with the Bhosari constituency seeing the highest addition of 81 new stations. This brings the total number of polling stations to 8,969 this year, up from 8,361 in the previous assembly election. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat were among the early voters in the state's assembly elections. Pawar, accompanied by his wife, voted in Baramati, expressing confidence in his victory. Bhagwat cast his vote in Nagpur, urging citizens to vote responsibly. Other early voters included BJP's Ashish Shelar, former UP Governor Ram Naik, Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan, and Congress. 
