top of page

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.

Voice Matters in Branding

Updated: Jan 6, 2025

Branding

In the symphony of personal branding, your tone of voice is the instrument that brings harmony to your message. While logos, colour schemes, and carefully curated content are often the focal points of branding, the tone you choose to communicate is what leaves a lasting impression. Whether in conversation, emails, social media posts, or presentations, your tone acts as the emotional lens through which others perceive you. It determines how your message is received and, ultimately, how you are remembered.


A consistent tone of voice doesn’t just communicate your ideas; it reflects your personality, values, and professionalism. When your tone resonates with your audience, it builds trust, fosters connections, and enhances your credibility. Conversely, an inconsistent or misplaced tone can alienate your audience, diluting your personal brand. For example, a jovial tone might feel unprofessional in a business pitch, while an overly formal tone could seem detached on social media. Striking the right balance is an art that directly impacts how others perceive you.


The importance of tone in personal branding becomes even more significant in our hyperdigital world. With much of our communication happening online, tone fills the gap left by the absence of body language and facial expressions. A single tweet, caption, or email can either elevate your brand or tarnish it, depending on the tone you employ. This is particularly crucial for professionals and business owners aiming to establish authority while remaining approachable.


Take, for instance, the case of a start-up founder whose pitch emails once went unanswered because of their overly technical tone. Recognizing the need for a more engaging approach, they adjusted their emails to be concise yet warm, reflecting their vision in relatable terms. The transformation didn’t just lead to responses—it opened doors to new partnerships and funding. This subtle yet impactful shift in tone highlighted the founder’s authenticity and commitment, traits essential to their personal brand.


Understanding and mastering your tone of voice begins with self-awareness. Ask yourself: What does my tone say about me? Does it align with my core values and the image I wish to project? Authenticity is key. People connect with genuine voices, not ones that feel rehearsed or insincere. Let your tone mirror your personality while adapting to the context of each interaction. For instance, you might adopt a more formal tone when addressing stakeholders but maintain a conversational style on social media to remain relatable.


Moreover, empathy plays a pivotal role in crafting the right tone. Tailoring your communication to the needs and emotions of your audience demonstrates emotional intelligence—a hallmark of effective personal branding. It’s about showing that you understand and value your audience, whether it’s through active listening, thoughtful responses, or inclusive language.


Consistency is equally crucial. Across platforms and interactions, your tone should remain true to your brand. A disjointed tone can confuse your audience and weaken your impact. For example, a motivational tone on LinkedIn juxtaposed with sarcasm on Instagram may erode trust. Ensuring alignment in tone reinforces your brand’s reliability and strengthens its recall value.


Your tone is the unseen thread weaving through every aspect of your personal branding journey. It’s what turns casual interactions into meaningful connections and transforms followers into loyal advocates. By refining your tone of voice, you’re not merely communicating — you’re creating experiences that resonate and build lasting impressions.


In a world where every word matters, let your tone speak volumes. Make it authentic, empathetic, and consistent, ensuring that your personal brand stands tall and true. After all, your voice isn’t just heard — it’s felt, remembered, and trusted.


Personal branding is not just about what one posts online but it’s a lot about who they are from the inside-out. Tone thus plays a vital role in creating a lasting impression. Wish to learn more? Follow me on my social media handles as I travel and explore many parts of the world and bring in content from my worldwide experiences.



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

Comments

bottom of page