Ex-minister Bacchu Kadu hints at entering MLC poll race in Maharashtra

Former Maharashtra minister Bacchu Kadu on Wednesday dropped hints about contesting the upcoming legislative council polls, stating no news floats just like that. Kadu said he had previously met Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde and spoken to minister Uday Samant, but no clear discussion had taken place regarding any nomination.

Former Maharashtra minister Bacchu Kadu on Wednesday dropped hints about contesting the upcoming legislative council polls, stating ''no news floats just like that''. The Prahar Janshakti Paksh leader, however, maintained that he would not compromise his principles by joining the government merely for an MLC post, saying his politics is guided by issues rather than positions. ''There is no concrete discussion. I have received no information from Shiv Sena (constituent of the ruling Mahayuti) to start preparations. But no news floats just like that. They may be having some issues,'' Kadu told reporters here, suggesting that speculation about his name may not be entirely baseless. Four-term MLA Kadu lost the 2024 assembly election from Achalpur in Amravati district. Nine council members, including former chief minister and Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav Thackeray, are retiring on May 13. Polling for these seats and a byelection to one seat will be held on May 12. The ruling BJP on Tuesday announced the names of candidates for five seats of the Upper House, along with the nominee for the bypoll to its one seat. Asked about readiness for a possible nomination, Kadu said, ''I have been in politics for many years. I had documents ready at the time of the 2024 nominations. The same set is ready now in my bag.'' Kadu also claimed he was unaware that his name was being considered for the MLC post, adding that he does not pursue politics based on caste equations. ''There are people who rush behind caste politics in herds, but I am not like that. There are issues like divyang (about differently-abled people), farmers' crop price parity and concerns of orange, onion and grape growers,'' he said. ''I am not a worthless person who will join the government for an MLC post,'' he added, asserting that his politics is driven by issues rather than positions. Kadu said he had previously met Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde and spoken to minister Uday Samant, but no clear discussion had taken place regarding any nomination. ''If I had been that hungry for a legislative post, I would have formed an adjustment or some pact ahead of the 2024 assembly polls. Who would have refused me?'' he asked. Kadu, who hails from the Vidarbha region, also thanked Deputy CM Shinde for backing his earlier agitations, including the farm loan waiver. ''Because of Shinde, the Maharashtra government had announced a crop loan waiver for farmers. I am thankful to him for responding to my agitation,'' he said. The leader claimed that his agitation had led to the creation of a special budget provision of Rs 40,000 crore to Rs 45,000 crore for farm labourers. Recalling his political journey, Kadu said he had earlier been associated with the Shiv Sena, but later floated his own outfit in Amravati after facing discrimination.