After voting in the first round of the parliamentary elections on Friday, Union minister and BJP contender for the Nagpur Lok Sabha constituency Nitin Gadkari cast his ballot here.

Seeking a third term, Gadkari and his wife, along with two sons and daughters-in-law, arrived at the Mahal area polling place. After casting his ballot, the minister told reporters he was confident he would win by a wide margin.

"I hope the people in the country will use their right to vote, which is their responsibility as well," he said, referring to the elections as the greatest celebration of democracy.

Considering that the temperature in the city was rising, he urged the people of Nagpur to cast their ballots as soon as possible. Gadkari expressed his optimism that the voter turnout, which was 54% the previous time, will reach 75% this time.