Nagpur, Jan. 15 -- As polling begins across 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday expressed confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would emerge victorious in the local body elections, while appealing to citizens to exercise their right to vote in large numbers.

Polling began today at 7.30 am and will continue until 5.30 pm, with vote counting scheduled to begin on Friday, January 16.

Gadkari said he was hopeful of a BJP win and reiterated the party's commitment to improving civic infrastructure and environmental standards in the city.

"I am hopeful that BJP will win the election. We will work on our resolve to make Nagpur the cleanest and most pollution-free city in the world. Voti...