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By:

Rajendra Pandharpure

15 April 2025 at 2:25:54 pm

Congress bets on dual leadership in Pune

Party’s unprecedented East-West division aims to curb factionalism and revive its fortunes ahead of 2029 polls Dipti Chaudhari Prashant Jagtap Pune: The Congress party has appointed two city presidents for Pune, marking the first time it has adopted such a structure in the city. By geographically dividing Pune into eastern and western zones, the party has appointed former Mayor Prashant...

Congress bets on dual leadership in Pune

Party’s unprecedented East-West division aims to curb factionalism and revive its fortunes ahead of 2029 polls Dipti Chaudhari Prashant Jagtap Pune: The Congress party has appointed two city presidents for Pune, marking the first time it has adopted such a structure in the city. By geographically dividing Pune into eastern and western zones, the party has appointed former Mayor Prashant Jagtap to head the eastern zone and former MLA Dipti Chaudhari to lead the western zone. The entire selection process bears the distinct imprint of State Congress President Harshvardhan Sapkale. While making these appointments, Sapkale sought to strike a balance between caste representation and gender representation by giving an opportunity to a woman leader. Prashant Jagtap had previously served as the city president of senior leader Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). He had opposed the proposal to contest municipal elections in alliance with the faction led by Ajit Pawar. Standing firm on this position, he resigned from his post as city president of the NCP (Sharadchandra Pawar faction). Positive Response Jagtap’s decision received a positive response across Maharashtra. He later joined the Congress party, where he received a warm welcome. At the time, there was considerable speculation over whether the Congress would be able to secure even five seats in the municipal elections. However, largely due to Jagtap’s entry into the party, 15 Congress corporators were elected, effectively halting the party’s downward slide in Pune. Recognising both his performance and his studious approach to politics, Sapkale entrusted him with the responsibility of leading the city unit. The prevailing sentiment within the Pune Congress is that Sapkale has carefully nurtured a young leader and assigned him a role commensurate with his abilities. Dipti Chaudhari, the newly appointed city president for the western zone, is a former Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) and a former Mayor of Pune. She has remained consistently active in party work and is regarded as a dedicated grassroots leader. Party workers believe her image and organisational experience could benefit the Congress in western Pune. To curb factionalism within the Pune Congress, the state leadership has introduced structural changes within the organisation itself. Even as the party declined after 2014, factionalism within the city unit continued unabated. On one notable occasion, during protests organised against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, two separate demonstrations were held by rival factions of the same party. Many within the Congress believe the then state leadership should have intervened decisively at the time. Instead, no corrective action was taken and factionalism only deepened further. Road Ahead Congress workers are now hopeful that Sapkale’s firm decisions will help rein in these divisions. Sapkale has undertaken the task of rebuilding the party organisation with a clear focus on the 2029 Lok Sabha and Maharashtra Assembly elections. During the recent by-election in Baramati, he asserted the Congress party’s rightful claim over the seat and also declared that the party would contest the 2029 Assembly election from Baramati independently. In keeping with that broader strategy, he has now initiated efforts to expand the Congress party’s organisational presence in Pune. At present, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) also has two city presidents in Pune — Sunil Tingre for the eastern zone and Subhash Jagtap for the western zone. In the past, parties such as the Shiv Sena and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have similarly experimented with appointing multiple city chiefs. Both the Congress and the BJP are national parties, and given Pune’s political significance, the prevailing practice until now had been to appoint a single city president to represent the entire organisation during city-wide programmes and political campaigns. The Congress has now departed from that model. It remains to be seen whether this revised organisational strategy succeeds in curbing factionalism and strengthening the party in Pune.

Indecision Kills Personal Branding

Updated: Jan 20, 2025

Indecision Kills

In a world that celebrates clarity and confidence, hesitancy is a silent yet powerful force that can diminish your personal brand. When people dwell in the realms of “I’m not sure” or “maybe,” they unknowingly project uncertainty and unreliability—traits that can undermine the foundation of a strong personal brand. Your ability to make decisions and stand firm on them is not just a reflection of your leadership but also a testament to your personal brand’s strength.


Every interaction we have leaves an impression. Be it a professional email, a networking event, or a casual conversation, these moments contribute to how others perceive us. When you continuously oscillate between indecision and vague responses, it sends a message that you lack confidence or direction. In business, where trust and reliability are paramount, this can become a significant roadblock.


Imagine a scenario where a client approaches two service providers with the same inquiry. The first one confidently outlines a plan, clearly stating the next steps, while the second hesitates, replying with, “I’m not sure; let me think about it.” Even if both have the same expertise, the client is more likely to gravitate toward the first provider. Confidence fosters trust, and trust is the bedrock of all successful relationships—professional or personal.


Indecision can often stem from the fear of making mistakes or being judged. While this is natural, it’s important to remember that perfection is an illusion. The act of making a decision, even if it turns out to be less than ideal, demonstrates courage, responsibility, and accountability. These are the traits that elevate a personal brand, distinguishing you in a crowded and competitive world.


Being decisive doesn’t mean being impulsive or reckless. It means gathering information, weighing options, and then committing to a choice with confidence. In personal branding, this is particularly crucial because every decision you make—how you respond to challenges, present yourself, or communicate with others—forms part of the narrative others associate with you.


Hesitation and indecision don’t only affect how others perceive you; they also impact how you view yourself. Constantly second-guessing yourself leads to self-doubt, which becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. The more uncertain you are, the more others will mirror that uncertainty, creating a cycle that can be hard to break.


One way to counter this is by setting clear priorities and aligning your decisions with them. For instance, if your personal brand is centred around being a thought leader in your industry, your choices should reflect expertise and foresight. Even in moments of ambiguity, acknowledging the uncertainty while showing a proactive approach—such as saying, “I’ll find out and get back to you”—conveys both honesty and determination.


During my recent trip to Australia, I was reminded of how decisiveness shapes impressions. Whether interacting with global clients or navigating unfamiliar professional terrains, I realized that certainty in communication was key to building trust and rapport. This was particularly evident when representing my personal brand on international platforms. A clear, confident tone opened doors and strengthened relationships that would have otherwise remained distant.


The next time you find yourself leaning on phrases like “I’m not sure” or “maybe,” pause and ask yourself: Is this hesitation necessary? Sometimes, it’s about silencing the inner critic and choosing to act decisively. Even if the outcome isn’t perfect, the act of making a choice positions you as someone who is reliable, proactive, and worth trusting.


Your personal brand isn’t defined by the absence of mistakes but by how you handle them and move forward. Decisiveness isn’t just about making choices—it’s about owning them. And in a world that often feels uncertain, those who lead with clarity and conviction stand out.


Make your decisions a reflection of your confidence, and watch as your personal brand strengthens, opening doors you never imagined.

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

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