: Thursday, January 15, 2026 2:13 PM
Mumbai/Nagpur. Voting continues for local body elections including BMC in Maharashtra. On one hand, the ruling party is claiming victory regarding the voting process, while on the other hand, the opposition has raised questions on election transparency. The controversy over the ink being used during voting has further increased the political temperature. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray has made serious allegations against the new ink being used in the voting process. He says that in place of the indelible ink that was used earlier, a new pen has now been introduced, whose ink can be erased with the sanitizer applied on hands. Raj Thackeray expressed apprehension that if the ink could be easily removed, a voter might try to vote again, raising questions over the fairness and transparency of the election. Outside the polling booth in Dadar, he said the possibility of irregularities due to change in ink pen could not be ruled out. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis rejected the opposition’s allegations and said that his victory in the BMC elections is certain and it is not right to create controversy on every small thing. Speaking to the media after voting with his family in Nagpur, he said that the opposition should write a new script as their old script is no longer working. He alleged that due to the fear of election defeat, the opposition is already looking for excuses.
Referring to the alleged attack on BJP candidate Bhushan Shingde in Nagpur, the Chief Minister said Congress workers attacked him, resulting in a broken hand and head injuries. He said that when elections cannot be won, such violence is like spreading darkness on democracy, but the public will respond to it.
On the controversy over ink, CM Fadnavis said that if anyone has any objection then it should be raised before the Election Commission. Elections should be fair, but creating unnecessary controversy is wrong. Appealing to the voters to vote in large numbers, he said that voting is not only a right but also a duty.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari expressed confidence of BJP’s victory in Nagpur elections. He said that he is confident that BJP will be victorious and the dream of making Nagpur beautiful, clean and pollution free will be fulfilled. Describing the franchise as a special right, Gadkari appealed to more and more people to vote. He supported the statement of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat, in which it was said that NOTA option would be removed from EVMs.
In Mumbai, BJP Mumbai President Amit Satam voted with his family and after seeing Siddhivinayak Ganesh, prayed for the development of a developed and safe Mumbai. BJP leader Kirit Somaiya also expressed satisfaction over the voting system and said that voting is going on smoothly in Mumbai. He praised BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani for better arrangements.
BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, after voting himself, said that necessary facilities have been provided at all the polling stations in Mumbai. Tight security arrangements have been made and trained personnel are deployed to assist the voters, so that the voting is conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner.
Meanwhile, Assembly Speaker Rahul Narvekar once again rejected the allegations against him and said that they are completely baseless and the State Election Commission has also clarified its position on this.
Overall, on one hand there is enthusiasm about voting during BMC elections, while on the other hand political rhetoric is intense regarding ink and alleged irregularities. Now it has to be seen who the voters trust and in whose favor the election results go.
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Web Title-BMC Elections 2026: Controversy over Ink, Voting Underway in Mumbai and Nagpur Amidst Allegations and Counter-Allegations
