Bacchu Kadu’s induction into the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena has been viewed as a strategic political move aimed at strengthening the party’s presence in Vidarbha. The region has remained politically important because of its ten Lok Sabha seats and 62 assembly constituencies. By bringing Kadu into the party and fielding him for the legislative council elections, Shinde’s camp is believed to be trying to widen its social and political base in a BJP-dominated area.
Kadu’s nomination is expected to result in an unopposed election, as no rival candidate has filed papers for the seat. His entry into the Sena has also been seen as a full-circle moment, since his political career had started with the Shiv Sena as a taluka pramukh in 1996-97. Later, he had built an independent identity through Prahar, first as a social organisation and then as the Prahar Janshakti Party.
The Prahar Janshakti Party had won two assembly seats in 2019, and Kadu had also served as a minister in the Maha Vikas Aghadi government. After the 2022 Shiv Sena split, he had supported Shinde, but a ministerial berth had not been given to him. Although he lost the 2024 election, his farmer-focused activism continued. It was announced by Kadu that his political party would be merged with the Shiv Sena, while Prahar would remain active as an independent social organisation. He said that the decision had not been taken for a post or candidature, but to work more effectively for farmers, persons with disabilities, labourers and marginalised communities.
Shinde praised Kadu’s grassroots work and said that movements led by him had pushed governments into taking major decisions, including farm loan waivers. It was also stated by Shinde that voices raised through social struggles needed space in political decision-making. However, criticism was made by BJP MLA Pravin Tayade, who defeated Kadu in the last election. He alleged that Kadu had joined the Sena because he could not remain away from power. Meanwhile, Shinde has also nominated Neelam Gorhe for the second legislative council seat being contested by the Shiv Sena.