India, Jan. 13 -- Amid a shower of rose petals from balconies and fireworks bursting on narrow roads, the Indian National Congress on Monday staged a high-voltage rally that wound its way from Minara Masjid to Nagpada junction, turning the heart of South Mumbai into a sea of party flags and slogans ahead of the upcoming civic polls.

Local MLA Amin Patel led the show of strength, accompanied by former Indian cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin and minority welfare minister and Rajya Sabha MP Imran Partapgarhi, who addressed supporters from an open van.

Sharing the platform were Congress candidates contesting wards 213 to 224, including Ruksana Patel, Naseema Javed Juneja, Prithvi Jain, Sonal Parmar and Dhyanraj Nikam being garlanded and gifted...