Maharashtra Election 2024 Voting Live: Supriya Sule files defamation case over crypto scam allegations

Actor couple Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia D’Souza cast their votes at a polling station in Latur for Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024.

#WATCH | Actor couple Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia D’Souza cast their votes at a polling station in Latur for #MaharashtraAssemblyElections pic.twitter.com/Zi4XzwKt2O

— ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2024

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced a holiday on November 20 for all employees working in businesses and offices within its jurisdiction, allowing people the opportunity to vote in the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024.

Banks across the state will remain closed today (November 20) in observance of the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024, as per the Reserve Bank of India’s holiday schedule. While physical branches in designated states will be closed, customers can still access financial services through ATMs, digital banking, and UPI platforms. Online transactions will continue to be operational for urgent banking needs, ensuring services are available even on holidays.

The Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) will be closed on November 20 in observance of the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024. Trading in equities, derivatives, SLBs, currency derivatives, and interest rate derivatives will be suspended for the day.

Leader of the Opposition Vijay Wadettiwar casts vote in Brahmapuri constituency for Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024.

NCP-SCP chief Sharad Pawar casts his vote for Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 at a polling station in Baramati.

NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule casts her vote for Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 at a polling station in Baramati.

Supriya Sule, NCP-SCP MP from Baramati, responded to allegations against her and Nana Patole by filing a defamation and criminal case. She challenged Sudhanshu Trivedi to ask her five questions at a time, place, and platform of his choice, asserting that the allegations were completely false.

#WATCH | Baramati: On allegations against her and Nana Patole, NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule says “I have filed a defamation case and a criminal case. I am ready to answer his (Sudhanshu Trivedi) 5 questions wherever he wants. Time of his choice, place of his choice and platform of his… pic.twitter.com/fz0bQKUrO4

— ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2024

Sanjay Yadav, Mumbai City Collector, emphasized the importance of the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024, encouraging all voters in Mumbai and across the state to cast their votes. After casting his own vote, he assured that every effort has been made to ensure smooth and peaceful voting with adequate facilities.

#WATCH | On #MaharashtraAssemblyElections2024, Sanjay Yadav, Mumbai City Collector says, “Today is a very important day for all of us. I have just cast my vote and I request all Mumbaikars, all voters of Maharashtra to do the same… We have tried our best to provide all… pic.twitter.com/bpUs9ODbgH

— ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2024

Actor John Abraham leaves from a polling booth in Mumbai after casting his vote for Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024.

Actor Sonu Sood leaves from a polling booth in Mumbai after casting his vote for Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024.

He says, “It is everybody’s responsibility to go out and vote. It’s very important for the country.”

Actor Ali Fazal shows his inked finger after casting his vote for Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024.

Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra, S. Chockalingam casts his vote for Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024, at the polling booth in Sachivalay Gymkhana, under Colaba constituency.

NCP candidate from Bandra East, Zeeshan Siddiqui casts his vote for Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024, at a polling booth in Mumbai.

Filmmaker and actor Farhan Akhtar shows his inked finger after casting his vote for Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024, at a polling booth in Bandra, Mumbai.

After casting his vote, Former Indian Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar says, “I have been an icon of the ECI (Election Commission of India) for quite some time now. The message I am giving is to vote. It is our responsibility. I urge everyone to come out and vote.”

RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das casts his vote at a polling station in Mumbai for Maharashtra Assembly Election 2024.

#WATCH | Mumbai: After casting his vote, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das says, “The arrangements (at the polling station) were very good. I congratulate the Election Commission. The elections are being held in the middle of the week, so everyone is expecting a high voter turnout.” pic.twitter.com/aFDgdQnaSt

— ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2024

Mumbai has long struggled with low voter turnout in both Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly elections. In a bid to encourage higher voter participation, the Mumbai Chapter of the National Restaurant Association of India is offering a 20% “Democracy Discount” to voters at participating restaurants on Wednesday and Thursday.

Former Indian Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, his wife and their daughter cast their votes at a polling station in Mumbai for Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024.

#WATCH | Mumbai: Former Indian Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, his wife Anjali Tendulkar and their daughter Sara Tendulkar, show their inked fingers after casting vote for #MaharashtraAssemblyElections2024 pic.twitter.com/ZjHix46qmb

— ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2024

In a blow to the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA), its Dahanu candidate, Suresh Padvi, defected to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) just before the Maharashtra Assembly elections 2024. Padvi announced his support for BJP’s candidate Vinod Medha, stating that electing a capable candidate would accelerate development in the rural area, which has been stagnant for the past five years. Padvi explained that after discussing with BJP’s district office-bearers, he decided to join the party.

To improve voter turnout in Thane district for the November 20 Maharashtra Assembly elections, a new one-click facility has been introduced, allowing voters to easily find polling stations by scanning QR codes. Thane Collector and Election Officer Ashok Shingare stated that this initiative is designed to enhance voter convenience and increase participation, especially in response to concerns about low voter turnout in the Thane and Kalyan areas.

Governor C. P. Radhakrishnan casts his vote at the polling booth at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai, under Colaba Assembly constituency.

PM Modi encouraged voters to take part in the elections with great enthusiasm. In a post on X, he specifically appealed to women and young voters to turn out in large numbers. Reaching out to first-time voters, the Prime Minister highlighted that each vote represents a powerful contribution to the state’s strength.

On allegations against Supriya Sule and Nana Patole, Maharashtra Deputy CM and NCP candidate from Baramati Assembly constituency, Ajit Pawar said “Whatever audio clip is being shown, I just know that I have worked with both of them. One of them is my sister and the other is someone with whom I have worked a lot. The audio clip has their voices, I can figure out from their tone. An inquiry will be done and everything will be clear…”

Mumbai BJP president and candidate from Bandra West assembly constituency, Ashish Shelar casts his vote at a polling station in St. Stanislaus High School of Bandra in Mumbai.

Actor Rajkummar Rao leaves from a polling booth in Mumbai after casting his vote for Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024.

He says, “It is very important (to vote). Everyone, please step out and vote. This is the voting day, it is very important.”

BMC Commissioner and District Election Officer Bhushan Gagrani casts his vote for Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024.

Maharashtra Minister and BJP candidate from Kothrud, Chandrakant Patil, emphasized the importance of increasing voter turnout, urging people to come out and vote. He mentioned that 20-25 NGOs have been motivated to offer incentives, such as coffee, to those who vote between 7 am and 11 am.

Responding to allegations of money distribution against Vinod Tawde, Patil stated, “He cannot do this.”

Actor Akshay Kumar displays his inked finger after voting in the Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024. He praised the arrangements at the polling station, noting the excellent facilities for senior citizens and the cleanliness maintained. Kumar encouraged everyone to participate in the election and cast their votes.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has come to the defense of BJP general secretary Vinod Tawde, following accusations from Bahujan Vikas Aghadi (BVA) chief Hitendra Thakur, who alleged that Tawde was distributing money to voters ahead of the Maharashtra Elections 2024.