RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat Casts Vote, Warns Against NOTA as Maharashtra Civic Polls Begin

As polling began across 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra on Thursday, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat cast his vote in the Nagpur Municipal Corporation election, calling voting the “first responsibility” of citizens in a democratic system.

Speaking to reporters after voting, Bhagwat stressed that elections are central to democracy and urged voters to exercise their choice with balanced thinking and public welfare in mind. “In a democratic system, elections play a very important role. It is the responsibility of citizens to vote thoughtfully. That is why I came and cast my vote first,” he said.

Bhagwat also weighed in on the debate around NOTA (None of the Above), acknowledging it as a legitimate expression of dissatisfaction but cautioning against its wider implications. Drawing a reference from the Mahabharata, he warned that abstaining from choosing any candidate could amount to a form of anarchy.

Citing the character Bhishma, Bhagwat argued that casting no vote could indirectly benefit an undeserving candidate. “NOTA expresses agitation, but not voting for anyone can result in power going to someone who may not be suitable. It is better to vote for the candidate you like most than to vote for no one,” he said.

The remarks came as Maharashtra witnessed high-stakes civic polling in major urban centres including Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Nashik and Pimpri-Chinchwad, following an intense campaign marked by political realignments.

The principal contest remains centred on Mumbai, where the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance faces a united Thackeray camp, with Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray joining forces on the plank of Marathi identity in a bid to reclaim control of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)—India’s richest civic body. The last BMC election was held in 2017.

Across the state, 3.48 crore voters are eligible to decide the fate of 15,908 candidates contesting 2,869 seats across 893 wards. The State Election Commission has set up 39,092 polling centres, deploying 43,958 control units and 87,916 ballot units, including 11,349 control units exclusively for Mumbai.

Polling is being conducted from 7.30 am to 5.30 pm, with counting scheduled for January 16, setting the stage for results that are expected to shape Maharashtra’s urban political landscape.

(ANI is the content partner for this story)