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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 4:59:11 pm

From Grassroots Worker to State Anchor

Part - 1 Name: Sunetra Pawar Where: Ter, Dharashiv Marking eight months in office as Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister during the ongoing festival celebrating women's power, Sunetra Pawar has stabilized the state administration and the Nationalist Congress Party in Mumbai and across the state through pragmatic grassroots governance following the sudden death of her husband, Ajit Pawar, in an airplane crash. Stepping into frontline administrative leadership in January this year...

From Grassroots Worker to State Anchor

Part - 1 Name: Sunetra Pawar Where: Ter, Dharashiv Marking eight months in office as Maharashtra’s first woman Deputy Chief Minister during the ongoing festival celebrating women's power, Sunetra Pawar has stabilized the state administration and the Nationalist Congress Party in Mumbai and across the state through pragmatic grassroots governance following the sudden death of her husband, Ajit Pawar, in an airplane crash. Stepping into frontline administrative leadership in January this year amid family trauma and an abrupt political vacuum, Pawar brought decades of informal administrative grounding to the Mantralaya. Although long positioned away from the political spotlight during her husband’s career, her political exposure began early as the younger sister of former state minister Padmasingh Patil. When thrust into the Deputy Chief ministership, she countered opposition jibes labelling her a "Gungi Gudia" by securing a record-breaking victory in the Baramati assembly bypoll with a margin exceeding two lakh votes. Her political resolve was further underlined by consolidating authority over family-controlled sugar cooperative mills, standing firmly beside her son during the Pune land dispute, and resisting backchannel pressure regarding an unconditional merger between the two NCP factions. Pawar’s administrative agenda has prioritized women's welfare and rural economic independence. In her very first official decision as Deputy Chief Minister, she cleared flexible work hours for women state government employees commuting across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. She subsequently steered the state’s Women’s Empowerment Bill through the legislature, a framework that has already processed aid applications from over 37 lakh women farmers. Drawing on her executive experience as chairperson of the Baramati Hi-Tech Textile Park, which generated sustained employment for more than 15,000 women, she is presently establishing a broader state policy model for decentralized textile parks and pushing for an AI Centre of Excellence in agriculture. Pawar has integrated her past constituency projects directly into statewide planning. A school initiative she launched as an MP, sending underprivileged rural students to NASA, has now been converted into an official state government scheme. Her environmental track record, rooted in transforming Katewadi into a model eco-village under the Nirmal Gram campaign and establishing the Environmental Forum of India, continues to shape state directives concerning solar power deployment, water conservation, and organic farming. Outside the Secretariat, she maintains active community oversight through the educational institutions of Vidya Pratishthan and regular visits to local old-age homes, sustaining her public identity in Baramati as an accessible social worker affectionately addressed as "Vahini." Assuming the guardian ministership of Beed—a politically sensitive and historically underdeveloped district previously handled by Ajit Pawar—she has maintained a direct public grievance system. When local schoolgirls staged a mock news report highlighting the lack of science teachers in their school, Pawar intervened immediately to fill the vacancies. Beginning her administrative day at dawn in a businesslike manner, Pawar has mirrored her late husband’s punctual work routine, prompting the ruling coalition to anchor its public outreach on the slogan: "Vahini ahet na!"

Gamble and the Challenge

Writer: Abhijit Joshi
Abhijit Joshi
Nov 17, 2024
2 min read

Updated: Nov 18, 2024

Eknath Shinde

As Maharashtra eagerly anticipates the election results on November 23, one name dominates political discussions: Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. Known for his bold moves, Shinde has reshaped the state’s political dynamics in unprecedented ways. In June 2022, Shinde set the stage for upheaval when he, along with several MLAs, left for Surat, plunging the coalition government into crisis. Just days later, with the BJP’s support, he assumed the role of chief minister, marking a shift no one saw coming.


The Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi, a coalition formed in 2019 by Shiv Sena, Congress, and NCP, had governed Maharashtra until Shinde’s exit. The impact of this political drama on state politics cannot be understated, as Shinde’s departure led to the fall of the MVA government. Over the past two years, Shinde has defied expectations, run a successful government while demonstrating independence from the BJP—a scenario few anticipated. His political acumen has now positioned him as a rising figure in BJP’s inner circle, potentially posing a challenge to BJP stalwart Devendra Fadnavis.


For Shinde, this election marks a crucial turning point. His objective is clear: securing wins for as many of his candidates as possible, solidifying his position in Maharashtra’s political landscape. However, the real test lies beyond the election results. In a political era where party loyalty is fluid, Shinde’s task will be to retain the loyalty of the elected MLAs.


Shinde’s journey from auto-rickshaw driver to prominent Shiv Sena leader has endeared him to the people, especially in Thane. Known for his humble behavior, he has built strong connections across all levels, from party workers to local households. However, this simplicity has led some BJP leaders to underestimate him. Now, even his allies realize that Shinde’s strategic mind and influence extend far beyond appearances.


One of Shinde’s significant achievements has been implementing the ‘Ladki Bahin Yojana,’ an initiative originally from Madhya Pradesh’s BJP government, which gained immense popularity in Maharashtra. This move not only showcases his keen sense of public sentiment but also distances him from his allies by establishing his independent policy-making approach.


Despite his growing influence, Shinde faces a challenge from the grassroots Shiv Sainiks who view him as a “traitor” for breaking with the Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray (UBT) faction. Recasting the narrative behind his decision to part ways with UBT will be essential if he hopes to gain widespread voter support.


Emphasizing his motivations and successes, particularly with initiatives like the ‘Ladki Bahin Yojana,’ may help him connect with skeptical constituents.


With solid connections at the local level and rapport with senior BJP leaders like Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, Shinde’s influence is likely to endure. This election will ultimately test Shinde’s leadership, resilience, and ability to navigate Maharashtra’s intricate political landscape. As Maharashtra’s political future hangs in the balance, Shinde stands at the forefront, steering the state’s uncertain course with both determination and ambition.

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