India, Dec. 31 -- A day after seat-sharing disputes were settled and suitable candidates were selected, all the major political parties pivoted to damage-control mode. Rebellion in their ranks now threatens to cost them dearly in several wards even as office-bearers, who failed to get tickets for themselves and their candidates, resigned. Many hopefuls, denied tickets, have filed as independent candidates, and some switched to rival parties as the deadline for filing nominations approached.

The BJP and Shiv Sena (UBT), locked in a bitter battle for control of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), are facing the most intense backlash over ticket distribution ahead of the January 15 elections.

To minimise rebellion, all the major ...