Major political moves ahead of Maharashtra Legislative Council elections as Bacchu Kadu merges party with Shinde camp and NCP backs Zeeshan Siddique
Ahead of the upcoming Maharashtra Legislative Council elections, two major political developments unfolded on Thursday as Bacchu Kadu announced that he will contest as a Shiv Sena candidate and merge his Prahar Janshakti Paksh with Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde’s faction, while the Nationalist Congress Party fielded Zeeshan Siddique for the same polls.
The twin announcements have intensified political activity in the state ahead of voting for nine MLC seats and one bypoll seat, scheduled for May 12.
Bacchu Kadu to contest as Shiv Sena nominee
Bacchu Kadu said he decided to join the Shiv Sena after receiving assurance from Eknath Shinde on issues concerning farmers, farm labourers and differently-abled people.
After meeting the Deputy Chief Minister on Wednesday night, Kadu said the government’s support for his causes convinced him to contest the Legislative Council election as a Shiv Sena candidate.
The former minister also announced that his party, Prahar Janshakti Paksh, will now merge with the Shinde-led Shiv Sena, marking a major political realignment.
Return to Sena after two decades
Bacchu Kadu was previously associated with the undivided Shiv Sena before leaving the party in 1999 to form his own organisation.
Describing the move as a homecoming, he said he was not joining the party as a newcomer but returning after a long gap.
His return is likely to strengthen the ruling camp’s outreach among farmers and rural communities, where Kadu has retained political influence.
NCP nominates Zeeshan Siddique
In another significant move, the Nationalist Congress Party nominated Zeeshan Siddique, son of late leader Baba Siddique, as its candidate for the MLC polls.
Zeeshan Siddique thanked party leaders after the nomination and said he would work to raise issues concerning the youth.
He had earlier contested the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly election from Bandra East, where he lost to Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Varun Sardesai.
Political stakes rise before May 12 polls
The Maharashtra Legislative Council election has become politically crucial as nine current members, including Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, are due to retire on May 13.
