India, Sept. 28 -- In an escalation of the turf war between deputy CM Eknath Shinde and BJP strongman Ganesh Naik, Shinde has launched a full-throttle political and administrative offensive in Navi Mumbai-Naik's bastion-signalling the start of the civic election campaign.

Just days after Naik proclaimed himself the "tallest political leader in Thane district", Shinde held a high-profile party meeting in Vashi, inducting Maharashtra Swarajya Paksh leader Ankush Baba Kadam into his fold. Kadam, who contested against Naik in the last assembly election, had campaigned against Naik's dynastic politics. Several other local leaders also joined Shinde's camp, further consolidating his position in Navi Mumbai.

Addressing party workers, Shinde to...