For the past year, many areas in South Mumbai, from CharniRoad to Chinchpokli, had been demanding their own separate states. Proposals were sent to CM Prithviraj Chavan who picked four finalists. “Ladies and gentlemen,” he announced at a high level gathering at Oval Maidan. “We have picked four, but only one candidate will be selected for the Centre’s consideration. Now we will have an open debate, moderated by Arnab Goswami. Let each region representative stake their claim.”u00a0

Byramji Petit Framroze, Bank of India cashier for 45 years, lifted his maroon topi once, said a quick prayer to Zarathustra and bellowed, “I demand the state of ‘Cus row Baugistan’. We wish to be separated from the other Baugs such as Khareghat Colony in Hughes Road and Navroze Baug in Lalbaug.”