Rajesh Kshirsagar walks into a political trap

The Shiv Sena MLA has chosen confrontation over the Shaktipeeth Expressway risking political isolation Kolhapur: Shiv Sena MLA Rajesh Kshirsagar’s aggressive support to the proposed Shaktipeeth Expressway has brought him face-to-face with former MP Raju Shetti. But the political fallout has not stopped there. In quick succession, he has taken on Congress leader Satej Patil, questioned the position of fellow Mahayuti legislator Chandradip Narake and criticised his own party colleague, Public...

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Rajesh Kshirsagar walks into a political trap

The Shiv Sena MLA has chosen confrontation over the Shaktipeeth Expressway risking political isolation Kolhapur: Shiv Sena MLA Rajesh Kshirsagar’s aggressive support to the proposed Shaktipeeth Expressway has brought him face-to-face with former MP Raju Shetti. But the political fallout has not stopped there. In quick succession, he has taken on Congress leader Satej Patil, questioned the position of fellow Mahayuti legislator Chandradip Narake and criticised his own party colleague, Public Health Minister and Kolhapur Guardian Minister Prakash Abitkar. That is a lot of political fronts for one MLA to manage simultaneously. The immediate question, therefore, is not whether Kshirsagar has the courage to fight. He clearly does. The more important question is whether he has calculated the political cost of fighting everyone at once. The Shaktipeeth Expressway has become one of the most contentious political issues in Kolhapur district. Raju Shetti has turned the proposed acquisition of agricultural land into a farmers’ rights issue and has built a sustained campaign around it. His politics has always thrived on confrontation. His rise from the sugarcane farmers’ movement to the Assembly and then the Lok Sabha was built on his ability to convert farmers’ grievances into political mobilisation. Kshirsagar has now chosen to meet that politics head-on. His controversial warning against Shetti, in response to the latter’s aggressive rhetoric on land acquisition, transformed a policy disagreement into a personal political duel. Supporters of both sides have since taken the confrontation to the streets. This is precisely where political calculation becomes important. Supporting a flagship project backed by the Chief Minister can certainly send a message to the leadership in Mumbai. Kshirsagar is willing to stand by the government when the going gets difficult. But the same position can create political liabilities at home, particularly when the project affects constituencies where local MLAs are under pressure from farmers. Different Question Kshirsagar’s decision to attack Satej Patil raises a different question. Patil remains one of the most influential political figures in Kolhapur. Suggesting that he may struggle to win the next Assembly election is not routine political criticism. It is an open challenge. That challenge may energise Kshirsagar’s supporters. It may also consolidate his position among those within the ruling establishment who see Patil as a principal political adversary. But there is a danger in confusing political visibility with political strength. Every additional opponent creates another front that has to be managed during an election. And Kshirsagar has already opened several. The most politically revealing part of Kshirsagar’s criticism of Chandradip Narake and Prakash Abitkar. Narake represents a constituency through which the Shaktipeeth project passes. His opposition, therefore, has an obvious electoral logic: he has to respond to the concerns of his voters. Kshirsagar’s criticism of Narake puts him in a difficult position. He is effectively asking another ruling-party MLA to subordinate constituency politics to the government’s larger project. Then came the attack on Abitkar. To publicly accuse the party’s Kolhapur Guardian Minister of failing to strengthen the organisation amounts to washing the party’s dirty linen in public. Ministerial Ambition There is another possible explanation for Kshirsagar’s increasingly combative posture: the unresolved question of ministerial ambition. A three-time MLA would naturally expect that electoral experience and political seniority might eventually translate into a Cabinet berth. Instead, when the opportunity came, Eknath Shinde chose Prakash Abitkar and gave him an important Cabinet portfolio. Kshirsagar was left outside the ministry. His present position on the State Planning Board gives him a role, but it is not the same political currency as a Cabinet berth. It would be simplistic to suggest that every recent statement is merely an expression of that disappointment. But it would be equally naïve to ignore the possibility that political frustration has influenced his increasingly assertive posture. The Shaktipeeth issue may simply have provided the trigger. Kshirsagar should also be looking closely at the arithmetic of Kolhapur North. The constituency has a history of surprising political outcomes. Its old-city peth culture is blunt, politically conscious and capable of producing results that defy conventional calculations. The last Assembly election demonstrated this dramatically. Madhurimaraje Chhatrapati’s withdrawal as the Congress candidate left the Opposition scrambling just weeks before polling. Satej Patil then backed municipal corporator Rajesh Latkar, who entered the contest with barely 15 days to campaign. Yet Latkar secured nearly 81,000 votes. Kshirsagar won by around 23,000 votes, but the number that should concern his camp is not merely his winning margin.

Why Women Are Better Investors Than Men

Kaustubh Kale
Mar 9, 2025
2 min read

Updated: Mar 10, 2025

As the world celebrated International Women's Day, discussions centered around women's achievements in various fields—business, leadership, science, and beyond. But one area where women consistently outperform men, yet receive little recognition, is investing.

Despite money management often being seen as a male-dominated field, women have quietly and consistently proven to be better investors than men. With patience, discipline, and a long-term mindset, women naturally possess qualities that make them superior money managers.

A Perfect Blend of Knowledge and Wealth

In Hindu mythology, Goddess Saraswati symbolizes knowledge, while Goddess Lakshmi represents wealth—two essential pillars of investing. The ability to manage wealth wisely stems from a deep understanding of financial principles, and this is where women excel. They take the time to learn, analyze, and make informed investment decisions rather than rushing into trends or speculation.

Why Women Make Better Investors

Several traits make women stand out as investors:

Patience and Long-Term Vision: Unlike men, who may be more prone to impulsive trading and get-rich-quick schemes, women tend to have a longer term mindset. Their ability to stay calm, especially during market fluctuations, leads to better returns over time.

Disciplined and Goal-Based: Women prioritize consistent savings and goal-based investing. This disciplined approach helps them build wealth steadily. Women naturally excel at budgeting, planning, and structuring investments to align with future goals, whether it’s children’s education, home buying, or retirement security. Their emotional connection with goals is what makes them stick to discipline.

Risk-Aware, Not Risk-Averse: Contrary to the stereotype, women are not afraid of risks—they are just more calculated about them, through appropriate asset allocation. Eventually, this approach ensures maximum returns with minimal risks.

Trust and Willingness to Learn: Women value education and expertise, making them more likely to seek guidance from a well-qualified financial advisor. Unlike men, who often overestimate their investing abilities, women approach financial decisions with a willingness to learn. Once they find a trusted expert, they follow sound advice instead of making emotional, short-term moves.

Women Leading the Financial World

These qualities are why many of the world’s leading financial institutions are now led by women. In India and abroad, we see prominent banks, asset management companies, and investment firms thriving under female leadership. Their ability to combine strategic thinking with emotional intelligence makes them exceptional at managing money—both at a personal and professional level.

Final Thoughts

With their trust in expert advice and a strong focus on financial education, more women should embrace their strengths and take control of their financial futures!