India, Jan. 16 -- Municipal elections are generally a low-key affair, as the stakes are local. Though political parties fight with vigour, people's enthusiasm is usually limited. But not in Maharashtra, where civic polls are gathering national headlines thanks to the vitriolic campaigns and high-voltage drama on streets. These elections are not just about who would control the local bodies but the whole of Mahrashtra. It has touched upon larger issues of identity, alliances, and the direction of Maharashtra's urban development.

Another reason for the noise this election is creating, is that these polls come after a long hiatus - nearly eight years. People are voting to restore democratic control over institutions that directly affect the...