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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 11:29:11 am

High-stakes chess beneath the surface

BJP Candidates coming out after filing their nomination for the upcoming Legislative Council Polls from Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai on Thursday. Pic: Bhushan Koyande Mumbai: Typically, when a ruling coalition enjoys a formidable and comfortable majority, elections to the Rajya Sabha and the State Legislative Council are quiet, predictable affairs. They are often viewed as mere formalities, rarely capturing the public imagination or dominating front-page headlines. Historically, these indirect...

High-stakes chess beneath the surface

BJP Candidates coming out after filing their nomination for the upcoming Legislative Council Polls from Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai on Thursday. Pic: Bhushan Koyande Mumbai: Typically, when a ruling coalition enjoys a formidable and comfortable majority, elections to the Rajya Sabha and the State Legislative Council are quiet, predictable affairs. They are often viewed as mere formalities, rarely capturing the public imagination or dominating front-page headlines. Historically, these indirect elections only become newsworthy under specific conditions: either the ruling coalition is plagued by internal fissures, or the opposition is too fragmented to put up a united front. In Maharashtra, however, the political landscape remains highly volatile. Recently, the Rajya Sabha elections became the center of intense media scrutiny, and over the past week, the Legislative Council polls followed suit. Although all ten candidates—nine from the ruling alliance and one from the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA)—are now set to be elected unopposed, the intricate backroom maneuvers that led to this truce kept the state’s political circles buzzing. Interestingly, the reason for this heightened news value can be traced to both a subtle tug-of-war within the ruling combine and a visibly weakened opposition. Shifting Strategy The maneuvering within the opposition ranks has been particularly telling. A major focal point of the election buildup was the anticipated candidacy of Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray. After generating considerable hype and speculation about a potential return to the legislature, Thackeray ultimately chose to withdraw from the electoral fray. This sudden pullback forced a rapid recalibration within the MVA. Initially, the Congress party had adopted an aggressive posture, declaring its intention to field a candidate if Thackeray decided against contesting. However, following closed-door deliberations with Shiv Sena (UBT) leadership, the Congress quietly backed down. Why the state Congress leadership so readily acquiesced to this sudden change in strategy, sacrificing a potential seat, remains a mystery and a subject of intense debate among political observers. On the other side of the aisle, the ruling Mahayuti coalition maximized this electoral opportunity to consolidate its political base, reward loyalists, and balance complex regional equations. The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) strategically paved the way for the political rehabilitation of former Congress legislator Zishan Siddique by nominating him to the Legislative Council. This calculated move introduces a prominent new Muslim face for the party, likely intended to fill the leadership vacuum in Mumbai left by veteran leader Nawab Malik. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde used his nominations to send a definitive message about the premium he places on loyalty. By securing another term for Dr. Neelam Gorhe, Shinde demonstrated that those who stood by his faction would be adequately rewarded. Furthermore, by bringing Vidarbha strongman Bachchu Kadu into the fold, Shinde has attempted to anchor his party’s future and expand its footprint in a region predominantly controlled by his senior alliance partner, the BJP. The Bharatiya Janata Party, playing its characteristic long game, meticulously ensured that its list of six candidates struck the perfect organizational, social, and political balance. Battle for LOP Despite these broader alliance strategies, the most consequential nomination in this electoral cycle is arguably that of Ambadas Danve. Barely six months after completing his tenure in the Upper House and stepping down from the prestigious post of Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, Danve has been nominated once again by the Shiv Sena (UBT). With his return to the house, there is a strong possibility that he will reclaim his former post. This specific development highlights a much deeper crisis within the Congress. Following Danve’s brief retirement, the Congress had naturally emerged as the largest opposition party in the Upper House. This mathematical advantage theoretically paved the way for their Kolhapur strongman, Satej “Banti” Patil, to lay claim to the Leader of the Opposition’s chair. However, the sudden defection of Congress MLC Pradnya Satav, who switched loyalties to the BJP, severely dented the party’s numbers. Her departure brought the Congress’s strength in the house just below that of the Shiv Sena (UBT). Stripped of its numerical superiority overnight, the Congress was relegated to being a mute spectator, unable to assert its rightful claim. Internal Dissent This series of tactical defeats has triggered palpable frustration within the Congress’s state unit. One senior Congress leader, speaking on the condition of anonymity, expressed deep disappointment with the state leadership’s inability to protect the party’s interests. “Everyone has personal political ambitions, but leaders must learn the ways to collectively move ahead and strategize,” the leader remarked, attributing the party’s current stagnation in Maharashtra to this lack of cohesive vision. In short, these Legislative Council elections have delivered one message loud and clear: even when everything appears calm and stable on the surface, the relentless machinery of politics continues to churn behind the scenes. No political player in Maharashtra can afford to rest assured or sit idle under the illusion that there are no major state elections until 2029.

The Business Growth Secret Hiding in Your Story

In today’s competitive world, business owners and professionals are constantly chasing growth, revenue, and new clients. Many believe that if their work is good enough, it will speak for itself. Others dismiss storytelling as unnecessary or even indulgent. After all, what does telling your story have to do with closing a deal or running a business? The answer, though often overlooked, is everything.


The greatest brands and leaders in history have understood that people remember stories more than products, logos, or job titles. Logos fade. Professions change. Industries evolve. What remains etched in memory is the story that someone told and the way it made us feel. Yet many business owners fail to recognize the power of this tool. Some feel they don’t have a story at all, that their business simply “started one day.”


Others underestimate its impact, believing that transactions are all that matter. What they fail to realize is that in a marketplace overflowing with choices, it is the human connection created through stories that makes someone choose you over another. I have seen this not only in global icons but also in my own journey.


My personal experiences, both struggles and successes, have become the foundation of my work. Sharing them openly has not only built trust but also made people connect with me at a deeper level. It is not about narrating a perfect tale; it is about revealing the human side behind the brand. And there is an art to it. The way a story is delivered can make it either fall flat or resonate so strongly that the listener feels as if it is also their own.


A good story is never just about you; it is about how your audience sees themselves in your journey. The irony is that the very business owners who dismiss storytelling as a distraction often complain about struggling to stand out or to attract loyal clients. They continue to focus on features, benefits, and pitches, unaware that these things are easily forgotten. What people truly carry with them is the emotional memory of an encounter — and stories are what create that. Without them, even the best brands risk being invisible.


The good news is that storytelling does not demand a dramatic rags-to-riches journey. It does not require exaggeration or a stage-worthy performance. Some of the most powerful stories are the simplest ones: the reason you chose your profession, the turning point that shaped your vision, the challenge you overcame that taught you resilience, or even the values that guide your everyday work. These are the narratives that breathe life into a personal brand, giving it both authenticity and relatability.


When people tell me they don’t have a story, I remind them that life itself is a series of stories. The problem is not the absence of one but the inability to see it. That is where the real work begins — uncovering those moments, shaping them, and then sharing them in a way that touches the people who matter to your growth. Done right, storytelling is not just a communication skill; it is a business strategy. It is the bridge that turns a transactional relationship into a long-term connection.


The truth is simple: people may forget your pitch, your designation, or even your company name. But they will not forget a story that made them pause, reflect, or feel understood. That story becomes the anchor of your personal brand, the reason someone remembers you long after the conversation ends, and the reason they come back or recommend you when opportunities arise.


For leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals who have been putting storytelling aside, it is no longer optional. It is the missing link between where you are today and where you aspire to be. And if you believe you don’t know how to begin or what to share, that is exactly where I can help. Because your story is already within you — it only needs to be uncovered, shaped, and told with authenticity. If you’re ready to uncover and shape the story that will set you apart, I’d be delighted to help you craft it. Reach out, let’s connect, and together we can make sure your story is not just heard, but remembered.


LinkedIn: DivyaaAdvaani Instagram: @suaveu6 YouTube: @suaveu


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

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