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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.

Travel-Savvy Personal Branding Tips

Updated: Dec 19, 2024

Personal branding

Personal branding is not confined to boardrooms, LinkedIn profiles, or carefully curated Instagram feeds. For business owners and professionals, it’s a living, breathing identity that travels with you. Whether you're sealing a deal at an international conference or relaxing on a beachside vacation, your brand is in motion, speaking volumes about who you are.


Travel presents unique opportunities to enhance personal branding—both online and offline. It’s not just about visibility but about consistency and authenticity in how you present yourself. A strong personal brand transcends locations, creating an impression that resonates long after the moment has passed.


Consider a business owner attending an overseas trade expo. Every interaction, from their handshake to how they navigate cultural nuances, contributes to their personal brand. Their choice of words, punctuality, and ability to adapt showcase professionalism. Following up with a thoughtful LinkedIn post sharing insights from the event extends their impact, merging offline actions with online visibility. This synergy strengthens their reputation, making them memorable to everyone they meet.


Even leisure trips are an opportunity to reinforce your brand. Imagine posting a reflection on how visiting a local artisan’s workshop inspired new ideas for your business. Such stories show curiosity and thoughtfulness, traits admired by clients, peers, and followers alike. Your audience doesn’t just see you as a professional; they see a dynamic individual who values growth and exploration.


But personal branding on the go isn’t limited to social media. Authenticity in real-world interactions plays a crucial role. How you engage with hotel staff, speak to a local vendor, or respond to travel challenges like delays speaks volumes. People notice how you behave in unguarded moments, and these instances often leave lasting impressions.


Your physical presence also shapes your offline branding. Dressing appropriately, carrying yourself with confidence, and managing travel inconveniences with grace reflect a brand that is polished yet approachable. Even something as seemingly small as choosing quality luggage can subtly reinforce an image of reliability and attention to detail.


On the digital side, staying consistent while traveling is essential. Schedule posts in advance or share snippets of your journey to keep your audience engaged. A simple photo with a thought-provoking caption can humanize your brand, showing that while you’re dedicated to your work, you also value balance and new experiences.


Let’s look at an example. A tech entrepreneur visiting Japan shared a post about how the country’s commitment to precision and minimalism inspired him to refine his business processes. The post resonated with his audience, not just because of the travel experience but because it tied seamlessly to his brand values. This blend of observation and connection left a lasting impression.


Ultimately, personal branding during travel is about crafting a narrative that aligns with your values. It’s not about perfection; it’s about being real. Every gesture, every interaction, and every post contributes to a larger picture - a brand that is dynamic, trustworthy, and memorable.


As you pack your bags for your next trip, remember: your brand is traveling with you. Every destination offers an opportunity to reinforce who you are and what you stand for. By embracing authenticity and staying intentional in your actions, you not only enhance your personal brand but create an impact that transcends borders, leaving a mark wherever you go.


Stay tuned to my upcoming articles as I travel and explore another part of this world, I shall be sharing insights from my trip too. Connect with me on my social media handles to stay updated with what’s next in store.


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suaveu6

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/divyaaadvaani


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

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