Mumbai

Union Minister Piyush Goyal and former Uttar Pradesh governor Ram Naik were among prominent leaders who cast their votes on Thursday in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections.

After voting in Borivali, Goyal said the spirit of development and progress mirrors the aspirations of India’s 140 crore citizens. Expressing optimism, the BJP’s Mumbai North Lok Sabha MP said he was confident that the drive for growth would gain renewed momentum from Mumbai, the country’s financial hub.

He also said he hoped that voters across the city would recognise their civic responsibility and actively participate in shaping Mumbai’s future.

Veteran BJP leader Ram Naik, who previously served as Union minister and Uttar Pradesh governor, exercised his franchise in Goregaon. The 92-year-old leader said the civic polls were taking place after a long gap, giving citizens an opportunity to elect representatives for their own city following the recent Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly elections.

Maharashtra Assembly Speaker and BJP MLA Rahul Narwekar also cast his vote on Thursday. Speaking to reporters, Narwekar urged people to turn out in large numbers and participate in the democratic process. Members of his family are actively contesting the civic polls, with two women relatives and his brother in the fray from the Colaba area in south Mumbai.

Former BJP MP Kirit Somaiya also voted along with his family members. His son, Neil Somaiya, is contesting the BMC elections.

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The polling marks a crucial phase in Mumbai’s civic governance, as voters choose their representatives after a prolonged interval.