Eknath Shinde, the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra and leader of the Shiv Sena party, has extended an offer to farmer leader Bachchu Kadu for a legislative council seat. However, the offer comes with the condition that Kadu merges his party, Prahar Janshakti, with Shiv Sena. This proposal is strategically timed before the biennial elections for ten legislative council seats scheduled for May 12. Kadu, who has been a prominent figure in farmer protests and has built a strong local base over 26 years, is cautious about merging his party, which he founded in 1999. Despite meeting with Shiv Sena minister Uday Samant to discuss the offer, Kadu remains undecided and is expected to announce his decision shortly. Kadu's previous political experience includes serving as a minister in the Uddhav Thackeray-led government before aligning with Shinde during the Shiv Sena split in 2022. His party faced challenges in the 2024 assembly elections, failing to secure any seats. The Shiv Sena leadership believes that Kadu's induction could enhance the party's influence in Vidarbha, where he has significant support among farmers.