India, Dec. 16 -- With the State Election Commission on Monday announcing January 15 as the date of the BMC polls, political activity in the city has intensified, with all major parties holding high-level meetings to finalise strategies and chart their campaign plans. The buzzword being flung around this time by almost all the contenders appears to be "development".

The Shiv Sena (UBT), which has held power in the BMC for five consecutive terms, said that it remained confident about voters backing its record. "Electoral performance is the true measure of public approval," said Mumbai South-Central MP Anil Desai. "For the last five terms, Mumbaikars have voted for the Shiv Sena (UBT) and accepted the leadership of Uddhav Thackeray."

Desa...