Terming the Maharashtra Assembly polls as historic, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Majeed Memon on Wednesday expressed hope that NCP will emerge as the single largest party in the poll bound state.
Memon also appealed to the Election Commission to ensure total fairness while the polling is underway.
"The elections in Maharashtra are historic today because of the precedence. There has not been such kind of a situation where four major parties are contesting with their own strength for the first time after several years. Therefore, all the anticipations, speculations and guesswork are without any base. They are talking in terms of air and wave which doesn't go close to truth," Memon told ANI here.
Expressing confidence about his party doing well in this election, he added, "We are sure even at this juncture that the Nationalist Congress Party with a tall leader like Sharad Pawar will sweep the polls and we shall have the largest number of seats when the results are declared on 19th."
Memon also said he was shocked at reports of some voting machines discovered from private parties.
"All that we appeal to the Election Commission is that let there be total fairness, we are shocked to find there are some instances where electoral voting machines have been discovered from private privates. So, this is an indication that there is likelihood of rigging or something of that kind which must be prevented. Cognisance must be taken by election officers," he said.
Polling began this morning in Maharashtra's 288 assembly constituencies to elect a new Legislative Assembly in the state with the voter turnout gradually picking up pace as the day progresses. The polling began at 7.00 am today and will conclude at 6.00 pm. The counting of votes will be held on October 19.
