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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 11:29:11 am

New icon of party loyalty amid world of turncoats

Mumbai: In the competitive landscape of Mumbai’s municipal politics, Akshata Tendulkar has emerged as a symbol of ideological steadfastness and party loyalty. Known as a “staunch Hindutva voice” in the Mahim-Dadar belt, she has navigated a political terrain historically dominated by regional heavyweights like the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). The Mahim-Dadar area has long been the ideological heart of Mumbai’s politics. For a BJP leader to carve out a niche as a...

New icon of party loyalty amid world of turncoats

Mumbai: In the competitive landscape of Mumbai’s municipal politics, Akshata Tendulkar has emerged as a symbol of ideological steadfastness and party loyalty. Known as a “staunch Hindutva voice” in the Mahim-Dadar belt, she has navigated a political terrain historically dominated by regional heavyweights like the Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). The Mahim-Dadar area has long been the ideological heart of Mumbai’s politics. For a BJP leader to carve out a niche as a prominent proponent of Hindutva in this specific geography is a significant feat. Tendulkar’s rise is attributed to her vocal and uncompromising stance on cultural and religious identity, which has resonated with a traditional voter base that feels a deep connection to the Hindutva narrative. In an era where political affiliations are often fluid, Tendulkar’s career reached a defining moment during the seat-sharing negotiations of the Mahayuti alliance. When her preferred ward was allocated to the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) as part of the coalition agreement, she faced a difficult choice: switch banners to stay in the race or stand down. Striking Aspect The most striking aspect of Tendulkar’s profile is her refusal to compromise on her political identity for the sake of an electoral ticket. Recognizing her local influence and the strength of her “Hindutva voice,” the Shiv Sena reportedly offered her a ticket to contest the election under their “bow and arrow” symbol. While many politicians today—often referred to as “turncoats”—regularly cross party-lines to secure power, Tendulkar chose a different path. She famously declined the offer, insisting that she remained committed to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP); that she would only contest as a candidate representing the party she had served and that her loyalty to the organisation outweighed her personal ambition for office. Rare Precedent “This is a very rare example of party loyalty in today’s times. I’m happy that such examples can be found only in the BJP,” said city BJP spokesperson Niranjan Shetty. He also highlighted that by choosing to withdraw from the race rather than abandon her party’s flag, Tendulkar set a rare precedent in contemporary Maharashtra politics. Her decision reinforced her image as a leader driven by conviction rather than opportunism. “She has earned the leadership by her fearless acts and uncompromising nature when it comes to issues related to Hindutva,” said senior RSS worker from Dadar area, Ramesh Deole. “Her decision today will be remembered for times to come,” he added. While it might be a ‘Political Harakiri’ in opinion of a few political analysts. But, with her act today she has actually given herself a larger identity. Today, she is viewed not just as a local leader from Ward 192, but as a “distinct example of loyalty.” Her background as a fierce advocate for Hindutva remains her calling card, making her a critical asset for the BJP in the heart of Mumbai. In a city where political winds shift rapidly, Akshata Tendulkar stands as a reminder of the power of ideological consistency.

The Growth Deadlock

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There comes a stage in every business where growth no longer responds to effort alone. The founder is working harder than ever, the systems are in place, the numbers are healthy, yet expansion feels stubbornly out of reach. Sales plateau, conversations repeat themselves, and despite competence and credibility, momentum slows. It is not failure, but it is not progress either. This is the Catch-22 many business owners quietly find themselves in — wanting to grow, knowing they should grow, but uncertain about what exactly is holding them back.


I recently met a founder who described this dilemma with striking honesty. He was articulate, attentive, respected in his circle, and financially successful. He listened more than he spoke, showed up consistently at networking events, and ran a stable organisation. Yet he felt invisible in rooms where decisions were being made. His website, visiting card, and online presence told three different stories. His personal identity as a leader had not kept pace with the scale of his business. He wasn’t struggling — but he wasn’t expanding either.


This is where many business owners misdiagnose the problem as a sales issue, a market issue, or a talent issue. In reality, it is often a brand issue — not of the company, but of the individual leading it.


At higher levels of business, growth is no longer driven only by products, pricing, or performance. It is driven by perception, positioning, and presence. People do business with those they trust, remember, and relate to. When a founder’s personal brand is fragmented or understated, opportunities quietly pass by. Conversations don’t convert. Introductions don’t compound. Visibility doesn’t translate into influence.


The problem is not always obvious because it does not feel urgent. Revenue is coming in. Teams are functioning. But the size of the problem reveals itself over time. Expansion stalls. Strategic partnerships don’t materialise. The founder remains respected but not sought after. Known, but not preferred.


This is where personal branding plays a decisive role — not as self-promotion, but as strategic alignment. A strong personal brand ensures that what a founder believes about themselves is consistent with what the world experiences. It bridges the gap between competence and command. Between being present and being powerful.


When a founder’s brand is unclear, the promise they unconsciously make to the market is diluted. When it is clear, the promise becomes unmistakable. People understand what you stand for, how you think, and why engaging with you is valuable. Your voice carries weight. Your presence creates recall. Your business benefits without you having to sell harder.


Timing matters here. The moment to address personal branding is not when growth has completely stalled, but when it begins to feel effortful. When conversations stop leading to outcomes. When you realise that despite doing everything “right,” expansion feels heavier than it should.


For founders managing businesses of scale, personal branding is not about visibility alone. It is about coherence. About ensuring that your online presence, offline behaviour, communication style, and leadership identity speak the same language. When they do, growth becomes more organic. Opportunities come through people, not pitches. Trust accelerates decisions. And scale begins to feel natural again.


Many business owners are not lacking ambition or capability. They are caught in a deadlock between where their business is and where their personal brand still operates. Resolving that gap often unlocks growth in ways no new strategy can.


If this reflection feels familiar — if you sense that something intangible is holding your expansion back — it may be worth examining not your business model, but your personal one. How you are perceived. What your presence promises. And whether your brand is speaking the growth you seek.


If you would like to explore this quietly and strategically, you may book a free discovery conversation here: https://sprect.com/pro/divyaaadvaani


Not as a pitch, but as a conversation — to understand what your personal brand is currently communicating, and what it may need to say next.


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

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