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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.

Colour Your Brand Right

It’s often said that first impressions are formed in less than seven seconds. But what few realise is that colour is the first language we speak — silently. Before your words, your pitch, or your résumé is even noticed, your visual presence has already communicated volumes. And at the centre of that communication is colour psychology — the science of how colours influence perception, emotion, and behaviour.


Now, imagine translating that influence into a strategic tool for personal branding.


We live in a world of shrinking attention spans and overwhelming options. Whether you're a founder, consultant, coach, or corporate leader, your success doesn't just depend on what you offer — it hinges on how memorable and trustworthy your brand appears. Colour plays a more crucial role in this perception than we give it credit for.


Think about it. Why does one leader’s navy-blue blazer command attention while another’s bright tie screams confidence? Why do we perceive someone in earthy tones as grounded and dependable while someone in bold red appears more assertive? It isn’t coincidence — it’s psychology. And when applied with intention, this becomes an unstoppable part of your brand strategy.


Over the last decade, I’ve worked with thousands of professionals across industries, helping them build brands that not only feel authentic but also drive measurable business growth. One key element that often turns into a game-changer for my clients is understanding and applying colour psychology in their personal brand.


The goal is not just to look good, but to look aligned — with your business goals, your values, and the way you want the world to experience you.


One of my clients, a senior executive transitioning into entrepreneurship, felt lost on how to present herself to a digital audience. She was brilliant — but blending in. By refining her colour palette based on her personality and goals, we elevated her personal presence both online and offline. Within four months, her visibility spiked, and so did her business — she 4x’ed her client conversions and signed two major contracts just because people began to “see” her differently.


Now, here’s something even more exciting. Colour psychology isn’t just for adults. That’s why I’ve written a very special book titled “Colour Me Happy by Divya Advani” — a joyful, interactive experience for children aged 4–10 that gently introduces them to the world of emotions through colours. If we can help our children understand what colour says about how they feel and how others perceive them, we’re not just creating expressive individuals — we’re cultivating powerful communicators of tomorrow.


Because whether it’s crayons in a child’s hand or a tailored blazer in a boardroom, colour is never neutral. It either works for you or against you.


The business world today demands more than skills — it demands distinction. And in a world where AI is automating skill sets and everyone is shouting online, personal branding is what will make people remember you. When done right, it doesn’t just enhance how others see you — it amplifies your ability to earn, influence, and lead.


This month, I’m onboarding only two high-end clients who are ready to create a powerful, profit-generating personal brand. If you’re a business owner or working professional who’s serious about standing out and scaling up, let’s make it happen.


Your personal brand is already saying something. The real question is — is it saying what you want it to? Let’s connect and discover together how we can elevate your personal brand. And if you’re looking to avail a copy of my second book “Colour Me Happy” for your child anywhere in India, reach out to me directly. For those outside of India, you could avail my book via Amazon.

Instagram: @suaveu6

LinkedIn: DivyaaAdvaani

YouTube:@ suaveu (Suave U – DivyaaAdvaani)


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

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