Gadkari, Mohol cast votes in Maharashtra MLC polls, express confidence of Mahayuti win

Voting for the Maharashtra Legislative Council (MLC) elections began at 8 am. Polling is under way in various constituencies amid tight security, and enthusiasm among voters is visible.

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari cast his vote in Nagpur. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also exercised his franchise in Nagpur.

Gadkari said in a social media post that he voted with his family in the election for the Nagpur division graduates' constituency of the Legislative Council. He appealed to graduate voters to come out of their homes in large numbers and vote.

Speaking to reporters in Nagpur after voting, Gadkari said the BJP and the Jana Sangh have always won this election. According to him, all their candidates will win this time too. Gadkari said the win is completely certain and that a big victory will be clear in the first round of counting itself.

In Pune, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol voted. He said that today they had exercised their franchise by casting their precious vote. Mohol said elections are being held at five important places across Maharashtra and that his alliance has been fully successful in reaching the last voter.

Mohol praised the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. He said the public's support has always been with them. He expressed confidence that people are voting for the Mahayuti after seeing the development work, and that it will win all five seats in style.

State Cabinet Minister Chandrakant Patil welcomed voters in Kolhapur in an unusual way, by giving them roses. Claiming a BJP victory, he said voting began at 8 am today after three weeks of extensive campaigning. According to Patil, he is fully confident that BJP and Mahayuti candidates will win by large margins, and that the picture will be completely clear by 5 pm.

Kiran Sarnaik, the Mahayuti and Shiv Sena-backed candidate from the Amravati constituency, visited the Washim constituency. He said large crowds of voters have turned up at polling stations and people are voting with great enthusiasm. Sarnaik is confident that his victory as the teachers' representative is certain when the ballots are opened on October 27.

Meanwhile, Harshada Deshmukh, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) candidate contesting from the Pune Graduates' constituency, also appeared confident of victory. She said her team had prepared very well for the election and that on polling day all voters are seen standing firmly with her.