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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 4:59:11 pm

Tawde’s journey from exile to UP fortress

Mumbai: In 2014, when Narendra Modi first ascended to the Prime Minister’s office, he entrusted the politically complex and electorally decisive state of Uttar Pradesh to his closest confidant, Amit Shah. Now, in a move that has sent ripples through the corridors of power, the Bharatiya Janata Party has bestowed that exact strategic mantle upon its National General Secretary, Vinod Tawde. With the crucial Uttar Pradesh assembly elections looming just a year away in 2027, Tawde’s appointment...

Tawde’s journey from exile to UP fortress

Mumbai: In 2014, when Narendra Modi first ascended to the Prime Minister’s office, he entrusted the politically complex and electorally decisive state of Uttar Pradesh to his closest confidant, Amit Shah. Now, in a move that has sent ripples through the corridors of power, the Bharatiya Janata Party has bestowed that exact strategic mantle upon its National General Secretary, Vinod Tawde. With the crucial Uttar Pradesh assembly elections looming just a year away in 2027, Tawde’s appointment as the state in-charge is a masterstroke of political rehabilitation and trust. While many political pundits anticipated Tawde might replace Dharmendra Pradhan in the Modi cabinet, the high command had a far more vital organizational mission in mind for the leader who, remarkably, found himself politically uprooted from his home turf of Maharashtra barely seven years ago. Serving as the Education Minister in the Devendra Fadnavis-led Maharashtra government, Tawde was a prominent and powerful face of the state BJP. However, the political winds shifted abruptly prior to the 2019 assembly elections. In a move that shocked many, his portfolios were drastically curtailed and handed over to Ashish Shelar, followed by the ultimate political blow: he was denied a ticket to contest from his stronghold constituency of Borivali. Whispers of a fierce, underlying political rivalry with Fadnavis flooded political circles, with widespread speculation suggesting that the Chief Minister had orchestrated the systematic downsizing of Tawde’s administrative influence to neutralize a potential competitor. Faced with a sudden, humiliating political exile, Tawde stood at a crossroads where many regional leaders opt for rebellion. Instead, he chose the path of extreme discipline, absorbing the setback and redirecting his focus entirely on national politics. Leveraging his deep, foundational roots in the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Tawde utilized his vast organizational network—a residual strength that survived his loss of ministerial power. His political resurrection was championed by the then-BJP President J.P. Nadda, a fellow ABVP alumnus who shared a profound camaraderie with the exiled leader. Recognizing his untapped potential, Nadda brought him to Delhi, initiating a comeback that began with his appointment as the Haryana in-charge in 2020 and culminated in his rapid elevation to National General Secretary in 2021. Tawde’s tenure as an organizational architect quickly yielded dividends. After stabilizing the party apparatus in Haryana, he was thrown into the politically volatile cauldron of Bihar in 2022. The BJP was navigating an exceptionally hostile environment marred by the shifting allegiances of Nitish Kumar and the looming shadow of the RJD. Immersing himself in booth-level micro-management and delicate alliance negotiations, Tawde orchestrated a remarkable consolidation. His strategic maneuvers were instrumental when Nitish Kumar eventually returned to the NDA fold in 2023, paving the way for the coalition’s formidable performance in the subsequent 2024 Lok Sabha and 2025 Bihar Assembly elections. As his stock rose, the central leadership began entrusting him with prestige assignments that transcended typical state electoral politics. Tawde emerged as a highly effective backroom coordinator during the 2022 presidential election of Droupadi Murmu, seamlessly managing cross-party liaisons across multiple states. He replicated this managerial success during C.P. Radhakrishnan’s vice-presidential election in 2025. Beyond electoral arithmetic, Tawde spearheaded massive national outreach initiatives, leading the ‘Sanghatan Parv 2024’ membership drive and coordinating complex central campaigns ranging from ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ to the delicate domestic communications during ‘Operation Ganga’ in Ukraine. Vinod Tawde has not merely returned from the political wilderness; he has conquered it, transforming a harsh regional sidelining into an undisputed mandate at the very heart of the nation’s political epicenter.

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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