The Chanakya who remained in dark

The aggression displayed by Congress party workers has significantly decreased over the years. In the 1980s and 1990s, the party’s youth wing, NSUI, was known for its aggressive stance. However, that intensity has diminished over time. On the other hand, Shiv Sena has been known for its assertiveness from the very beginning, a trait that appealed to the youth. But after the passing of Balasaheb Thackeray, the party has softened its approach.

In recent times, Congress leaders like Nana Patole and Vijay Waddettiwar have brought back a sense of aggression, particularly Nana Patole, who has taken a more assertive role following the party’s significant victory in the Maharashtra Lok Sabha elections. Patole, it seems, is no longer in a mood to compromise.

Chavan is known for his calm and composed nature. A highly educated politician, he has built a reputation as a technocrat with a clean image.

Chavan faces several challenges. He may have to compete with aggressive leaders like Nana Patole and Vijay Wadettiwar, as well as his long-time rival, Sharad Pawar, the Maratha strongman. Managing these internal dynamics will be crucial for Chavan’s future. Pritviraj Chavan’s political journey has been relatively smooth. He is an alumnus of BITS Pilani and the University of California, Berkeley, where he studied mechanical engineering. Before entering politics, Chavan worked in the U.S. in the fields of aircraft instrumentation and anti-submarine warfare, and later returned to India to become an entrepreneur. His clean, low-profile image has earned him the respect of many, and he has held several key positions, including Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office and General Secretary of the All-India Congress Committee.

Chavan’s entry into Maharashtra politics came in 2010 when Sonia Gandhi chose him to replace Ashok Chavan as Chief Minister, following the Adarsh Scam. The Congress leadership wanted to project a clean image, and Chavan was the ideal candidate and they succeeded for a limited period. Before the state elections of 2014 both the alliances – NCP-CONGRESS & SENA -BJP parted ways which befitted the BJP largely and Modi wave was also the major reason. The corruption charges on the NCP leaders like Ajit Pawar , Hassan Mushrif etc damaged the parties name & Senior Pawar blames everything to this to Prihtviraj Chavan who was the chief minister that point of time.

Maharashtra’s political scenario has changed drastically since 2014, and the state is once again at the centre of a high-stakes political battle. The BJP, which held significant sway until 2019, faced a major setback when Sharad Pawar played a pivotal role in keeping them out of power. The Shiv Sena revolt, which led to Eknath Shinde becoming Chief Minister, further complicated the political landscape.