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By:

Rajendra Pandharpure

15 April 2025 at 2:25:54 pm

BJP eyes chances in Western Maharashtra after the Pawars

The death of Ajit Pawar has unsettled western Maharashtra, leaving the BJP cautiously biding its time Pune: Western Maharashtra has long been Indian politics in miniature: dense with sugar cooperatives, caste arithmetic, money and muscle power. For decades it was shaped by one extended family – the Pawars - whose writ ran from district banks to dairy unions and from assembly halls to village panchayats. The sudden death of Ajit Pawar, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) strongman and...

BJP eyes chances in Western Maharashtra after the Pawars

The death of Ajit Pawar has unsettled western Maharashtra, leaving the BJP cautiously biding its time Pune: Western Maharashtra has long been Indian politics in miniature: dense with sugar cooperatives, caste arithmetic, money and muscle power. For decades it was shaped by one extended family – the Pawars - whose writ ran from district banks to dairy unions and from assembly halls to village panchayats. The sudden death of Ajit Pawar, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) strongman and Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister, has jolted this ecosystem. The aftershocks are being felt most keenly not by his rivals, but by his ally, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that has long coveted the region. Maharashtra’s politics has always been regionally segmented. The BJP is entrenched in north Maharashtra; it has broken through spectacularly in Mumbai, including wresting control of the municipal corporation; Vidarbha remains Congress-leaning while Marathwada is competitive and volatile. Family Bastion Western Maharashtra, by contrast, has remained been the Pawars’ citadel. Control over cooperatives, especially sugar, has translated into rural loyalty, financial muscle and electoral dominance. The NCP, founded by Sharad Pawar, thrived on this architecture. The BJP, despite its national rise, has struggled to crack it. Rather than dislodge the system, the BJP sought to co-opt it. Disaffected satraps were inducted like Udayanraje Bhosale in Satara; the Mahadiks in Kolhapur; the Mohite-Patils in Solapur. Local strongmen such as Rahul Kul in Pune district were elevated and veterans like Harshvardhan Patil were brought in, if only briefly. The idea was to gradually bleed the undivided NCP led by patriarch Sharad Pawar. That effort has intensified as the BJP eyes an audacious goal: returning to power in Maharashtra on its own in the 2029 Assembly election. For that to happen, western Maharashtra is indispensable. It is no accident that the Modi government had created a new Union ministry of cooperation, handing it to Amit Shah. Cooperatives are the region’s political bloodstream. After the 2024 general election, Muralidhar Mohol, elected from Pune, was made minister of state in the same department. He was also informally tasked with western Maharashtra in a clear signal of the BJP’s strategic focus. Mohol’s brief was daunting: contain both Pawars. Sharad Pawar’s stature as a national deal-maker and Ajit Pawar’s grip on local machinery made them a formidable duo even when divided. Yet, the recent municipal contests in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad hinted at change. When both Pawars campaigned together, the BJP still managed to defeat them, suggesting that the old formula no longer guaranteed victory. Uncertain Times Then came the plane crash on January 28 leading to Ajit Pawar’s tragic death. His wife, Sunetra Pawar, was sworn in as deputy chief minister, an act of continuity intended to steady the ranks. While public sympathy is palpable, it has nothing to do with organisation. Sunetra Pawar will need time to command the networks her husband once ran by instinct. Her early gestures like visiting Karad to pay homage to Yashwantrao Chavan and invoking the legacy of Phule, Shahu and Ambedkar signal an attempt to anchor the party in its progressive tradition. Whether that rhetoric can substitute for Ajit Pawar’s authority is uncertain. Uncertainty abounds elsewhere too. Rumours swirl of a rapprochement or even a merger between the rival NCP factions. One scenario has Supriya Sule entering the Union cabinet. Another asks a more existential question: could Sharad Pawar, architect of Maharashtra’s secular, centrist politics, ever align formally with the BJP’s Hindutva project? His reported unease with a recent India–America trade agreement has fuelled speculation among supporters already anxious about ideological drift. Against this haze, the BJP’s restraint is striking. Rather than rushing to exploit the moment, it has preferred to wait and watch. The party knows that western Maharashtra is not won in a season. Cooperative elections, local bodies and caste coalitions move slowly. For now, the BJP is content to let the Pawars recalibrate, to allow factions to test their strength, and to intervene only when the contours are clearer. In a region where politics has long been about inheritance, Ajit Pawar’s absence has exposed how fragile even the most entrenched systems can be. The BJP senses opportunity, but is also aware of the attendant risks. Its wait-and-watch posture reflects a calculation born of experience. And in western Maharashtra, patience can be a weapon.

Anger Kills Your Brand

Updated: Feb 18, 2025

Anger

Anger is a natural emotion, but when left unchecked, it can be one of the biggest threats to a business owner's personal brand. In high-stakes environments where leadership, credibility, and financial success are at play, emotional outbursts can tarnish reputations, weaken client trust, and fracture professional relationships. In an era where perception is everything, losing control can mean losing business.


Successful business leaders understand that personal branding is not just about expertise and visibility—it’s also about emotional intelligence. While confidence, decisiveness, and passion are admired traits, anger is a double-edged sword that can undermine all of them. Clients, investors, and employees observe not only what you achieve but also how you handle challenges, disagreements, and setbacks. A single mismanaged moment of frustration can overshadow years of hard work and trust-building.


Consider the case of a CEO who, in a heated boardroom discussion, lashes out at a colleague. Even if the argument was justified, what people will remember is the aggression, not the point being made. A supplier who witnesses a business owner berating staff may question whether they want to continue working with them. Employees who experience outbursts regularly may disengage, leading to higher turnover and lower productivity. The financial implications of anger are real—lost deals, broken partnerships, and reputational damage can cost businesses thousands, if not millions.


In today’s digital landscape, moments of anger are not just witnessed; they are recorded and shared. A single frustrated comment in an email, a rash response on social media, or an emotionally charged confrontation in a meeting can be captured and spread within seconds. Business owners who fail to manage their emotions risk viral backlash, affecting not only their personal brand but also their company’s bottom line.


However, managing anger does not mean suppressing it. Instead, it’s about channeling frustration constructively. The best leaders turn moments of irritation into opportunities for strategic thinking and problem-solving. They know when to pause before reacting, reframe their perspective, and choose their words carefully. This level of control not only earns respect but also solidifies their authority as composed and reliable professionals.


One way to prevent anger from negatively impacting a personal brand is by implementing a system of emotional checkpoints. Before reacting, ask: Will this response enhance or damage my credibility? Am I responding to resolve the issue or just to express frustration? What is the long-term impact of my reaction on my relationships and reputation? These small moments of self-awareness can prevent major reputational setbacks.


Additionally, business owners can cultivate an environment where emotional intelligence is valued. Encouraging open dialogue, fostering a culture of respect, and setting the tone for professional interactions within a company help maintain a positive brand image. The strongest personal brands belong to those who are known for their composure, fairness, and ability to navigate high-pressure situations with grace.


Ultimately, anger is a test of leadership. How you handle difficult conversations, setbacks, and conflicts speaks volumes about your character and business acumen. The most influential business leaders are not the ones who never feel anger but the ones who know how to use it wisely. In a world where perception can make or break success, mastering emotional control is not just an advantage—it is a necessity.


Your personal brand is your most valuable asset. Protect it by ensuring that when people think of you, they remember your vision, expertise, and leadership—not a moment of lost composure. The ability to stay composed under pressure is what differentiates an ordinary entrepreneur from an extraordinary one.


If you are a business leader or are in the process to become one, I’d love to connect with you. Let’s connect on the following platforms:


The author is a personal branding expert. She has clients from 14+ countries. Views personal.)

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