Preity wants people to vote in Mumbai

Mumbai, Jan 30 (IANS) Bollywood star Preity Zinta, who has often raised concerns over Mumbai's cleanliness, is campaigning for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections -- urging people to go out and vote.

"I feel inside me that I need to do something about the situation. The BMC elections are our only chance to see a cleaner and greener Mumbai. I intend to go out and tell people to vote," said Preity.

"This doesn't mean I'm getting into politics at all," she clarified. "It's just my way of creating awareness among people that if they vote, Mumbai city benefits."

Preity was in New Delhi recently and she kept marvelling at how clean the capital city was.

"They don't even have potholes on the main roads. Delhi is so much cleaner. Why? When we in Mumbai are the highest taxpayers in the country. Parts of Mumbai stink and roads are pitiable. Much as I'd have liked to distance myself from all this, like we all do, I can't turn a blind eye because I feel I can make a difference," the actress remarked.

Preity got involved in creating voting awareness soon after she returned from her holiday abroad for the New Year.

"I feel there's already plenty of awareness among Mumbai's people. I want to be part of that movement. I've been asked to create awareness about the calibre of the candidates."