India, Jan. 11 -- "We have been facing a water shortage for the last 60 years," said 80-year-old Sucheta Pathankar. "It has become worse after high-rise towers came up in this area. We need a clear assurance that the water problem in our chawl will be solved." Like her, many residents of old chawls in Dadar are hoping that the protracted water issue will finally be addressed.

Ward 192, which includes Gokhale Road, the Dadar station area, N C Kelkar Marg and the Shiv Sena Bhavan stretch, has been a stronghold of the undivided Shiv Sena for nearly two decades. The ward came into focus even before candidates were officially declared, as political developments created tension and debate among party workers.

After the seat was allotted to th...