India, Jan. 8 -- The traditionally Marathi-dominated Lalbaug-Parel (Ward 204), a former mill area that has seen massive gentrification over the past two decades, has for long been considered an undivided Shiv Sena citadel. However, the party's internal split in 2022 has dramatically altered the political landscape, turning the ward into a keenly watched battleground ahead of the BMC elections.

Deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde's aggressive electoral strategy has sharpened the contest, particularly after Anil Kokil, a staunch Shiv Sena (UBT) loyalist and former corporator, crossed over at the eleventh hour on December 30 after being denied a ticket. His induction into the Shiv Sena has transformed the ward into a pivotal fight between t...