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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.

Opinions That Define You

We live in a world where the loudest voices are often labelled "too opinionated" while the quiet ones are overlooked. Ironically, neither extreme truly serves us when it comes to building a lasting, impactful personal brand. And yet, we’ve all heard it — “She’s too aggressive,” “He never has a view of his own,” “They just go with the flow,” or worse, “Who are they to have an opinion?” What happens in these moments is more than just judgement — it’s the subtle shaping of your personal brand in people’s minds.


Having an opinion, when done right, is not arrogance. It’s leadership. It signals clarity, confidence, and presence. But there’s a fine line between assertiveness and stubbornness — and mastering that line is the hallmark of a strong personal brand. Conversely, those who never express a point of view are often seen as agreeable, yes — but also forgettable. No brand was ever built on silence. No leader was ever remembered for blending into the background.


In boardrooms and coffee tables alike, we’re constantly being evaluated — not just for what we know, but for what we stand for. People gravitate towards individuals who have depth, perspective, and the courage to voice it. But they also respect those who can listen, absorb, and recalibrate. Your personal brand is shaped by the way you participate in conversations, how you disagree, and most importantly, how you make others feel when you do.


Let’s face it — being "opinionated" is often a term used to clip wings. Especially when someone challenges the norm or refuses to blindly nod in agreement. But if you’re constantly moulding yourself to fit in, never daring to question or contribute, your personal brand risks being invisible. And in the world of business, invisibility costs opportunities.


Now here’s the irony: people often ask me, “Should I voice my thoughts? What if I’m wrong?” My answer always remains the same — a personal brand isn’t built on perfection, it’s built on perspective. And perspective comes from lived experiences, evolving thoughts, and the willingness to show up — even when it’s uncomfortable.


Let’s also not confuse being vocal with being valuable. It's not about speaking the most, but about saying what matters. A well-placed viewpoint — authentic, respectful, and timely — can open doors, shift opinions, and position you as a thought leader in your space. That’s the power of intentional personal branding.


On the flip side, there are professionals who choose to remain silent out of fear — fear of judgement, confrontation, or conflict. But here’s the truth no one tells you — people who never take a stand are rarely trusted with leadership. Agreeing with everyone may keep you safe, but it won’t make you stand out.


So where does that leave us? It leaves us with a choice. Do you want to be known for echoing others or remembered for what you believe in? Do you want to blend in, or be the brand that people can’t forget?


In today’s world, perception often precedes reality. People form impressions long before they know your full story. And when you don’t actively shape your personal brand, someone else will — and not always in your favour.


If you’ve been told you're “too much,” maybe it’s time to see it as a strength. And if you’ve been quiet for too long, maybe it’s time to start sharing what you really think. Your brand is not just your résumé or your designation — it’s how people experience you, remember you, and talk about you when you’re not in the room.


And if reading this stirred something within you — a quiet nudge, a thought you’ve buried, or a voice you’ve silenced — maybe that’s your sign. It’s time to claim your space. To build a brand so strong, the world has no choice but to take notice.


I’m here to help. But only if you’re ready to stop dimming your light. Having an opinion isn’t the problem. Not knowing how to brand it, is. Let’s change that. Book a consultation call with me on the link below: https://sprect.com/pro/divyaaadvaani


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

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