India, June 1 -- Saurabha Kulshreshtha

MUMBAI: A protest over an incomplete bridge in Dombivali has assumed importance well beyond the inconvenience it's been causing - it's being seen as a possible bridge between two political rivals, whose possible rapprochement could trigger a political realignment ahead of upcoming local elections.

The agitation over the bridge at Palava township on the Shil-Kalyan Road comes amid speculation of a reunion of the Thackeray cousins - and an alliance of the Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) led by them. Local leaders of the two parties joined forces on Saturday, taking on a common political foe - the Shiv Sena.

The development, although local in scope, left political parties and obs...