India, Sept. 12 -- The Vishnudas Bhave Natyagruha in Vashi became a political battleground on Thursday, as tempers ran high during a public hearing on the controversial draft ward boundaries for the upcoming Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) elections.

The hearing saw a massive turnout, with former corporators, political leaders, and agitated residents, including a bus full of women from Turbhe, swarming the venue to voice their dissent.

A staggering 2,500 objections and suggestions have been filed against the civic body's draft ward structure, released on August 22. The controversy stems from the proposal to shift to 28 multi-member panels that will elect a total of 111 corporators. This is a significant departure from the 111 s...