Bachchu Kadu’s Shift to Shinde-Sena Triggers Backlash From Farm Activists A year after leading a high-profile agitation for a farm loan waiver, Prahar Janshakti leader Bachchu Kadu has faced sharp criticism from fellow activists over his decision to join the Sena faction led by deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde. The move has unsettled many within the farmers’ movement, particularly in Vidarbha, where the loan waiver demand gained significant traction. Kadu, who had emerged as a prominent figure by organizing a three-day blockade of the Nagpur-Delhi-Hyderabad highway, had previously built an independent, secular political base, largely unaffiliated with either the ruling Mahayuti alliance or the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi. His alignment with a party in power has sparked debates about his commitment to the farmers’ cause. Activists involved in last year’s protests have stated that the movement will continue without Kadu, reiterating their demand for a complete loan waiver. They emphasized that the panel headed by chief minister’s economic adviser Praveen Pardesi, which submitted its report, will be closely monitored. “We will wait till June 30 for implementation of the committee’s recommendations. If the government fails, another agitation will be launched,” said leaders associated with the protest. However, the backlash against Kadu has intensified, with social media platforms becoming a hub for criticism. Farmer groups have questioned his political motives, with some accusing him of seeking personal gain. One activist remarked that his decision exposed “how desperate” he was for a legislative council position, while another described him as “a claimant of the chief minister’s post, now desperate for power.” Despite the criticism, some veteran voices have urged a more measured perspective.#vidarbha #eknath_shinde #bachchu_kadu #praveen_pardesi #nagpur_delhi_hyderabad_highway
