India, Dec. 26 -- With nominations for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls open and most parties yet to decide on candidates, the Kolis, considered original inhabitants of the city, are pushing for greater representation in the civic body.

There are 24 wards across Mumbai where Kolis hold a decisive edge; yet, only two Koli corporators were elected to the BMC in the 2017 polls, rue community leaders. Some aspire to contest in the upcoming polls, and if elected, negotiate better with mega infrastructure projects transforming the coastline and their lives. Others are pressing for political parties to nominate more Koli candidates.

The most telling example of the overall mood among Kolis with regards to the election was on d...