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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 11:29:11 am

Mahayuti struggles with seat-sharing formula

Mumbai: The ruling Mahayuti alliance is currently navigating a treacherous political minefield. With the crucial Legislative Council elections rapidly approaching, deep-seated differences over seat-sharing have surfaced. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday offered a candid admission of these unresolved disputes. His statements underscore the immense pressure on the coalition partners. The state is preparing to vote for sixteen council seats and one bypoll seat in Nagpur. Voting is...

Mahayuti struggles with seat-sharing formula

Mumbai: The ruling Mahayuti alliance is currently navigating a treacherous political minefield. With the crucial Legislative Council elections rapidly approaching, deep-seated differences over seat-sharing have surfaced. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday offered a candid admission of these unresolved disputes. His statements underscore the immense pressure on the coalition partners. The state is preparing to vote for sixteen council seats and one bypoll seat in Nagpur. Voting is scheduled for June 18, with the all-important counting set for June 22. Addressing the media after inaugurating the Jawahar Balbhavan in Mumbai, Fadnavis sought to project a calm exterior. He emphasised that detailed discussions are still ongoing to evaluate various aspects of the electoral battle. He expressed confidence that the alliance would soon reach an amicable solution. However, the specific geographies he mentioned reveal the exact fault lines. Negotiations with the Shiv Sena are heavily concentrated on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and Nashik. Meanwhile, talks with the Nationalist Congress Party are focused squarely on Pune. Alliance Arithmatic The arithmetic of the alliance is proving incredibly difficult to balance. The Shiv Sena had firmly demanded seven seats even as the BJP was offering only 3. They justify this claim by pointing to their strong support bases in Mumbai, Thane, Raigad, Sambhajinagar, Ratnagiri, Nashik, and Yavatmal. The Bharatiya Janata Party has a vastly different calculation. The BJP plans to assert its dominance by contesting twelve seats. This aggressive stance would leave only three seats for the Sena and a mere two seats for the Sunetra Pawar-led NCP. With the nomination process already underway, the clock is ticking loudly for the Mahayuti leadership. This intense internal friction prompted a sudden political maneuver by Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde. He flew to New Delhi over the weekend amid the escalating deadlock. Sena sources indicated that Shinde sought the intervention of the BJP’s central leadership. A Sena minister, however, quickly tried to downplay the optics of the trip. He insisted that Shinde travelled for an unscheduled programme before heading to Bengaluru for a planned event. Despite these official denials, the timing strongly suggests a high-stakes crisis intervention. Bitter Conflict The most bitter conflict within the alliance centers on the Thane local authorities constituency. Both the BJP and the Shinde-led Sena are fiercely staking their claims. A BJP legislator recently argued that political tickets should be distributed based strictly on numerical strength. He pointed out that the BJP commands 444 corporators in the region. In stark contrast, the Shinde-led Sena and the allied Jijau organisation possess a combined total of only 346 corporators. However, political reality in Maharashtra is rarely dictated by numbers alone. The Shinde faction views Thane as its emotional and traditional stronghold. Surrendering this territory to their alliance partner is considered politically unthinkable. This local dispute is already threatening to severely damage the broader coalition. A Sena Member of Parliament recently issued a stark warning regarding the upcoming Thane Zilla Parishad elections. He boldly asserted that Sena workers are fully prepared to fight alone and hoist their saffron flag, regardless of the alliance’s survival. The battle lines are extending further across the state map. The Sena is demanding the Jalgaon seat, which the BJP is equally determined to contest. Furthermore, reports suggest the Sena is preparing to unilaterally field a candidate in Raigad. This would further complicate the already delicate negotiations. Despite these mounting tensions, BJP minister Girish Mahajan has publicly maintained that the deadlock will be resolved shortly. A final decision now rests on an impending high-level meeting between Fadnavis, Shinde, and Sunetra Pawar. MVA Crisis Meanwhile, the political turbulence is not restricted to the Mahayuti alliance. The opposition Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi is dealing with its own severe crisis in the Vidarbha region. The Chandrapur-Gadchiroli council seat has triggered frantic political poaching. As many as sixty corporators and Zilla Parishad members from the Congress party reportedly went missing recently. Congress leaders have directly accused BJP legislator Banti Bhangadiya of orchestrating this disappearance. They allege he has shifted the corporators to an undisclosed location to manipulate the voting outcome. The Congress has responded with an aggressive counter-narrative. Senior Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar made a startling claim that over one hundred BJP corporators are secretly in contact with him. While Wadettiwar strategically hid their exact whereabouts, his statement highlighted a critical vulnerability. He suggested that the BJP is also suffering from severe internal factionalism. Wadettiwar warned that these hidden rifts will ultimately cost the ruling party dearly in the forthcoming elections.

Cruise Control in Personal Branding

Updated: Dec 2, 2024

Personal Branding

While I was driving home with my dad the other day, he was driving the car on cruise control mode and that’s when I thought - if a car can work on cruise control, what about our personal brands?


Personal branding for business owners and professionals can often feel like an uphill drive. It requires navigating competition, adjusting to market trends, and maintaining your unique identity. Imagine, however, if you could manage this journey with the same ease as engaging cruise control on a highway—consistent, smooth, and goal-oriented. This analogy brings a fresh perspective to how you can take control of your brand without burning out or losing direction.


Cruise control in personal branding doesn’t mean taking your hands off the wheel entirely. It’s about setting the right pace and ensuring a steady presence that reflects your authentic self. In branding terms, this means having a clear vision of who you are and where you’re heading. Take, for example, a business owner who posts regularly on LinkedIn about leadership insights. Their consistency builds recognition, trust, and credibility over time, making their audience associate them with thought leadership in their field.


However, cruise control also requires flexibility. Roads aren’t always straight and smooth, and neither is your personal branding journey. The ability to adapt and shift gears when necessary is vital. Trends change, industries evolve, and so should your approach. If a working professional clings to outdated communication styles or avoids digital platforms, they risk becoming irrelevant. A modern, adaptable brand is one that stays in touch with its audience while evolving with the times.


Authenticity is the fuel that powers your cruise control. A strong personal brand isn’t just about appearing polished or successful; it’s about being real. People value connection, and nothing resonates more than a person who is confident in their unique story. Take the example of an entrepreneur who shares their challenges openly—clients and partners often trust them more because their honesty makes them relatable and human.


Yet, cruise control is also about balance. Overexposure or an overly aggressive approach can lead to fatigue—for you and your audience. A sustainable branding strategy includes knowing when to accelerate and when to let things run at a steady pace. Posting too often, for instance, might dilute your message, while prolonged silence could make people forget your presence. Striking the right balance ensures your brand remains top-of-mind without overwhelming your audience.


Imagine a CEO who takes time to speak at industry events, mentors upcoming professionals, and shares authentic insights about leadership online. Their branding is thoughtful and wellpaced, reflecting their values and expertise while connecting with people at various touch points. This balance builds a brand that feels natural yet impactful, positioning them as a leader who is both aspirational and approachable.


In the fast-paced world of business, cruise control in personal branding is not about coasting passively. It’s about driving with purpose, consistency, and a readiness to adjust as the road ahead changes. When done right, your brand becomes your most valuable asset—a force that drives opportunities and builds lasting relationships.


Remember, personal branding is a journey, not a destination. The road may have twists and turns, but with the right mindset and strategy, you can steer through confidently and leave a mark that lasts long after the journey ends.


Are you wanting to put your personal brand on cruise control but haven’t started at all yet? You may feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/divyaaadvaani


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

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