India, Nov. 6 -- Niraj Pandit and Sabah Virani

MUMBAI: The Asiatic Society of Mumbai (ASM), long seen as a bastion of scholarship, is witnessing an election battle unlike anything in its history.

Around 1,400 people have applied for membership this year - an unprecedented number for an institution that has remained constant at around 3,000 for the last few years - hoping to swing the vote one of two ways. All will be known on Saturday, when members cast their ballot to decide on the 221-year-old institution's future.

Two contenders are facing off for the post of president. One is Kumar Ketkar - author, senior journalist and former Rajya Sabha member. He's running on the "Save Asiatic Society" plank. The other is a seasoned politician, ...