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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.

Collaborate to Build Credibility

Updated: Jan 27, 2025

cornerstone

Collaboration is the cornerstone of personal branding, yet it’s often overlooked in the race to build a strong individual identity. In today’s interconnected world, no one builds their personal brand in isolation. It’s a process that thrives on partnerships, shared insights, and collective growth. If you’ve been chasing the idea of being a self-made success, it’s time to rethink that narrative. Collaboration isn’t just a tool; it’s a necessity.


When you collaborate, you’re not only combining skills but also amplifying visibility. Imagine partnering with someone who has an audience you’ve never reached before. Suddenly, your message extends beyond your immediate circle. Personal branding is about creating a consistent, memorable identity, and collaborations help you do that on a larger scale. They bring in fresh perspectives and validate your expertise in ways you can’t achieve alone.


Consider platforms like LinkedIn. It’s no longer just a place to post updates; it’s a hub for meaningful collaborations. Co-authoring articles, engaging in discussions, or even participating in a colleague’s webinar exposes you to their audience while reinforcing your authority in your field. When others see you engaging with credible professionals, your own credibility grows.


My recent trip to Australia gave me first-hand experience of the power of collaboration. As I met with professionals from different industries, I realized how much more impactful my personal brand became through shared knowledge. It wasn’t about showcasing my achievements alone; it was about building bridges, exchanging ideas, and co-creating solutions. This trip underscored a vital lesson: collaboration isn’t just beneficial—it’s transformative.


What holds many people back from collaborating is the fear of competition. The truth is, collaboration doesn’t dilute your brand; it enhances it. When you collaborate, you’re not competing for attention—you’re pooling resources for mutual success. This mindset shift is crucial for anyone looking to establish a robust personal brand.


Collaborations can take many forms. Co-hosting a workshop with a peer allows both of you to leverage each other’s audiences. Engaging in cross-promotions on social media can open doors to new followers and clients. Even simple gestures like sharing someone else’s work and acknowledging their contribution can lead to deeper professional relationships. These small but significant steps create a ripple effect that enhances your brand’s reach and reputation.


Another important aspect is trust. Collaborations work when there’s mutual respect and alignment of values. Your personal brand reflects who you are, and it’s vital to partner with individuals or organizations that complement your identity. When done right, collaborations don’t just expand your network; they strengthen your brand’s authenticity.


Personal branding isn’t about standing alone on a pedestal; it’s about building a platform that others want to be a part of. The most successful brands in the world—personal or corporate— have one thing in common: they thrive on collaborations. Think of the brands or influencers you admire. Chances are, they didn’t get there alone. They worked with others, learned from them, and created something bigger than themselves.


So, the next time you’re looking to grow your personal brand, ask yourself: who can I collaborate with? Seek out partnerships that align with your goals and values. Whether it’s a joint project, a shared event, or a social media campaign, remember that every collaboration is an opportunity to elevate your brand.


In the end, collaboration isn’t just about growing your brand—it’s about making an impact. It’s about creating a legacy of shared success, where your identity is intertwined with meaningful relationships and mutual achievements. Personal branding is no longer an individual endeavour; it’s a collaborative journey. What other better way to start your collaborative journey? Start yours today by following me on my below mentioned handles to discuss further.


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

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