Nagpur: A year after spearheading a high-voltage agitation for farm loan waiver, Prahar Janshakti leader Bachchu Kadu is drawing sharp criticism from fellow activists over his decision to join the Sena faction led by deputy CM Eknath Shinde, with many alleging betrayal of the farmers’ cause.Kadu, who emerged as a prominent face of the agitation by leading a three-day blockade of the arterial Nagpur-Delhi-Hyderabad highway, had cultivated an independent, secular political base, largely unaffiliated with either the ruling Mahayuti or opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi. His move to align with a party in power has unsettled many within the movement, particularly across Vidarbha, where the loan waiver demand gained traction.Activists involved in last year’s protests said the movement would continue without him and reiterated their demand for a complete loan waiver. “We will wait till June 30 for implementation of the committee’s recommendations. If the govt fails, another agitation will be launched,” said leaders associated with the protest, referring to the panel headed by chief minister’s economic adviser Praveen Pardesi, which has already submitted its report.The backlash also spilled onto social media, where criticism of Kadu intensified. Messages circulating among farmer groups question his political motives, with one activist remarking that his decision exposed “how desperate” he was for a legislative council position, while another post described him as “a claimant of the chief minister’s post, now desperate for power.”Despite the criticism, some veteran voices struck a more measured tone. Raju Shetti, leader of Swabhimani Paksha, said the responsibility did not lie with leaders alone. “Not only the leader but even farmers need to be blamed. They often remain indifferent and take activists for granted,” he said, suggesting such dynamics push leaders toward political realignment.Others, however, remained unequivocal in their stance. “We shall stick to our demand for complete loan waiver,” said farm leader Ravindra Tupkari from Buldhana, warning of a large-scale agitation if any scheme comes with restrictive eligibility conditions.Veteran activist Vijay Jawandhia described the development as part of a broader pattern in agrarian politics. “It is not new for farm leaders to align with those in power. It’s politics of opportunism,” he said, adding Kadu should be judged by whether he continues to raise farmers’ issues after joining the ruling alliance.Kadu, who had previously served as minister of state for school education in the Uddhav Thackeray-led government, had shown signs of political repositioning when Shiv Sena split. However, his latest move appears to have deepened divisions within the farmers’ movement, even as the core demand for loan waiver remains unresolved.
