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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.

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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