MUMBAI: Former MLA and Prahar Janshakti Party leader Bachchu Kadu on Thursday formally joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and was announced as the party's candidate for the upcoming MLC elections. This development comes a day after Kadu indicated his openness to negotiations regarding the merger of his party with the Shiv Sena.
Conditions Accepted by Shinde
Speaking on the occasion, Kadu stated that Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had accepted all the conditions he had set for joining the party. He said, "I am taking up the bow and arrow of Shiv Sena. There has been considerable discussion on this matter. The Shiv Sena has accepted all our demands. I have taken this decision only after securing commitments on key issues such as revising the minimum support price for farmers, addressing the concerns of widowed sisters, and strengthening the Ministry of Divyang (disabled) persons."
Kadu emphasized his commitment to work honestly and strengthen the Shiv Sena, but added, "We need the strength of farmers and the disabled. There will be no compromise on that. The Ministry of Divyang could be established under Shinde's leadership, but concrete work must be done to strengthen it."
Background and Previous Role
Kadu lost the 2024 Assembly elections from the Achalpur constituency. In 2023, he was appointed as the chairperson of the state-level committee of the Divyang Welfare Department, with the rank of a cabinet minister. However, in January 2025, he resigned from this post, citing the government's ineffectiveness in implementing substantial work for the holistic development of differently-abled individuals as the primary reason.
Kadu was one of the independent MLAs who supported the Eknath Shinde-led split in the Shiv Sena in 2022 and had traveled to Guwahati with the rebel Sena MLAs. He also served as a Minister of State in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government.
Future of Prahar Janshakti Party
Clarifying the future of his political outfit, Kadu explained that the Prahar Social Organization and Prahar Divyang Organization would continue to function. "The Prahar Social Organization will remain active in Maharashtra. Those who wish to engage in political work will join the Shiv Sena, while those inclined towards social work will stay with the Prahar organization. We will work with full strength to expand the Shiv Sena. But every drop of blood will be dedicated to the party as much as to the farmers, laborers, and divyangs," he said.
