Mumbaikars have a new party to vote for this BMC election and it might just give the powers to be a run for their money. As elections inch closer, the debate over pigeon feeding is now turning political — Jain religious leaders have announced the formation of a new party, the Shanti Doot Jan Kalyan Party (SDJKP).

The party symbol is a pigeon — “a symbol of peace,” said a religious leader from the Jain community. SDJKP is intended to contest upcoming elections with the agenda of protecting animals, and the issue of kabutarkhanas (pigeon shelters) is likely to be a major poll plank. In fact, the community leader issued an ultimatum to the government: “If the government fails to take a decision on the pigeon-feeding issue, we will start our protest and even contest elections.”