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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.

Goodbyes Matter in Branding

Updated: Feb 3, 2025

Branding

Saying goodbye is never easy. Whether it's leaving a job, closing a chapter in your career, or parting ways with a business partner, the way you handle goodbyes speaks volumes about your personal brand. A farewell isn’t just an end—it’s an opportunity to leave a lasting impression that shapes how people remember you. In the world of business and professional relationships, goodbyes are as crucial as first impressions.


A personal brand isn’t built only through achievements and milestones; it’s equally defined by transitions. The grace, gratitude, and professionalism with which you handle departures determine how others perceive you long after you’ve moved on. Some people disappear without a word, leaving behind uncertainty or even bitterness. Others make their goodbyes count, reinforcing their credibility and respectability. The difference? Thoughtfulness, communication, and the ability to turn an ending into a new beginning.


When moving on from a job, many people focus on what’s next rather than how they’re leaving. However, the way you exit can open or close doors for future opportunities. Expressing appreciation, maintaining relationships, and leaving on a positive note ensure that you carry goodwill into your next venture. A strong personal brand means ensuring that former colleagues, clients, and industry peers continue to view you with respect and admiration. You never know when paths may cross again, and leaving a positive last impression can lead to future collaborations, referrals, or even job offers.


Similarly, in business, ending a partnership or client relationship shouldn’t be rushed or dismissed. The way you handle these moments can make all the difference. Taking the time to express gratitude, offer support, and leave things on good terms ensures that your reputation remains intact. Burning bridges damages credibility, while fostering goodwill strengthens your personal brand and opens doors to future opportunities. Even when a situation isn’t ideal, professionalism in goodbyes is a powerful way to control the narrative of your career.


Social media plays a significant role in how goodbyes are perceived today. Publicly acknowledging a transition, expressing gratitude, and celebrating the journey rather than focusing solely on the destination is a subtle yet powerful way to reinforce your brand. A well-crafted farewell post on LinkedIn, a message to your network, or a personal note to key connections can ensure that your departure is seen as a step forward rather than an abrupt break.


Emotional intelligence is crucial when saying goodbye. It’s easy to get caught up in frustration, disappointment, or excitement about what’s next, but maintaining composure and professionalism ensures that your brand remains strong. People remember how you made them feel, and a farewell filled with warmth, respect, and authenticity cements your reputation as a leader with integrity.


Think of every goodbye as an investment in your future. The way you leave one chapter determines how smoothly you enter the next. From the tone of your final email to the words you choose in conversations, every action contributes to your brand’s narrative. Being mindful of these moments ensures that people associate your name with positivity, respect, and credibility.


At its core, personal branding is about the story you tell and the legacy you leave behind. Goodbyes are part of that story. They are not just about endings but about setting the stage for future success. By handling them with intention, grace, and professionalism, you solidify your personal brand and ensure that your reputation continues to work in your favour long after you’ve moved on.


So, let’s start your and my journey while we say goodbye to our old lives in order to create a brand identity for ourselves. For starters, let’s get connected online. Follow me on:


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

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