Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray has demanded that the voting time for the Maharashtra Legislative Council Polls be extended by an hour due to heavy rains in Mumbai. With 222 MLAs already casting their votes by 12 pm, the elections have gained momentum as 12 candidates are vying for the 11 seats in the council. The Congress, the NCP (SP) and the Shiv Sena (UBT) are allies in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, and have issued a directive for party MLAs to vote for MVA candidates, making the outcome of the elections crucial for all parties involved.