India, Nov. 1 -- Ganesh Naik, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Airoli in Navi Mumbai, stirred the electoral pot on Thursday, with a controversial remark stating that all those who had conspired to defeat him in 1999 were now dead.

The Shiv Sena, an ally of the BJP in the ruling Mahayuti alliance, strongly objected to Naik's comment, interpreting it as an oblique reference to the late Sena Thane strongman, Anand Dighe. Shiv Sena city chief, Vijay Chougule, who has filed his nomination to contest the Airoli seat as an Independent against Naik, led a protest of party workers. They wore black bands on their foreheads and raised slogans in support of Dighe, while condemning Naik's statement. The also said they would take the matter...