Lagatar24 Desk
Mumbai: Renowned poet and lyricist Gulzar cast his vote in the Maharashtra local body elections, while filmmaker Kiran Rao and actor-singer Junaid Khan were also seen at polling booths, highlighting strong participation from the cultural fraternity in the democratic process.
Gulzar Urges Citizens To Strengthen Democracy
Ninety-one-year-old Gulzar arrived at the polling station in his trademark white kurta-pyjama and proudly displayed his inked finger after voting. Speaking to the media, he stressed the importance of voting, saying that nurturing democracy is essential to staying rooted in one’s homeland.
Kiran Rao, Junaid Khan And Family Participate
Producer Kiran Rao exercised her right to vote and posed for photographers, while Junaid Khan arrived at the polling station along with his mother Reena Dutta and sister Ira Khan. Junaid urged citizens to come out in large numbers, calling voting a vital civic responsibility.
Celebrities Encourage Public Participation
Actor Maniesh Paul also shared a photo of his inked finger on social media, appealing to Mumbai residents to vote. Several public figures used their presence to encourage higher voter turnout across the state.
Large-Scale Polling Arrangements Across Maharashtra
Polling began at 7:30 am and will continue until 5:30 pm across 29 municipal corporations. The State Election Commission has set up 39,147 polling stations statewide, including over 10,000 in Mumbai alone. Around 3.48 crore voters will decide the fate of nearly 16,000 candidates, with vote counting scheduled for January 16.
