In a blistering critique, Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) has called out Bacchu Kadu’s ‘living samadhi’ ceremony as a blatant ploy for political survival. The former minister’s high-profile renunciation act, attended by Eknath Shinde, quickly transitioned into a Legislative Council nomination – a classic case of opportunism, according to the party’s ‘Saamana’ editorial.
Kadu, once a Shiv Sena member denied a ticket, fought independently and later served in Thackeray’s government. His rebellion phase involved hotel-hopping across states, followed by ministerial snubs and renewed opposition. Facing electoral oblivion, he cozied up to Shinde, securing his spot despite earlier boasts of independence.
‘Saamana’ mocks Kadu as now fully embedded in the Shinde camp, contrasting his pre-join rhetoric. The piece spotlights his Amravati rivalry with Ravi Rana, whom he once slammed for BJP backing. This internal Shinde faction friction, it argues, is mere voter distraction.
Broader concerns loom: BJP’s solo election strategy could marginalize partners, leaving leaders like Kadu scrambling. The editorial predicts Kadu praising Fadnavis and Modi, clinging via disabled rights advocacy, while his core supporters – farmers and widows – languish.
This episode lays bare Maharashtra politics’ hypocrisy. Shiv Sena (UBT) positions itself as the moral compass, decrying the spectacle and calling for accountability. With assembly elections on the horizon, Kadu’s saga exemplifies the high-stakes game of alliances and betrayals.
