Omprakash Babarao Kadu, widely known as Bachchu Kadu, is a controversial politician from Maharashtra who has recently gained attention for leading large farmer protests demanding loan waivers. The 54-year-old leader heads the Prahar Janshakti Party and is known for his aggressive style and unconventional tactics. On Wednesday, the Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court took notice after thousands of farmers blocked National Highway-44 under his leadership. Following a meeting with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday, the state government agreed to decide on complete farm loan waivers by June 30 next year. Kadu has won the Achalpur Assembly seat four times but lost in the recent Assembly elections to a BJP candidate. His political journey includes supporting different coalitions and holding ministerial positions, though his relationship with the ruling Mahayuti alliance has deteriorated. Through these farmer protests, he appears to be attempting a political comeback.
Political Career and Recent Controversies
Kadu won the Achalpur Assembly seat in Amravati district four times—three times as an Independent (2009, 2014, 2019) and once representing his own party. He served as Minister of State holding the Water Resources portfolio in Uddhav Thackeray's MVA government. In 2022, he was among the first to leave the MVA alongside Eknath Shinde. Under the Shinde-led Mahayuti government, he became chairman of the Divyang Welfare Department with Cabinet rank in May 2023. However, relations soured when he refused to support the BJP candidate in Amravati. In the recent Assembly elections, the BJP fielded a candidate against him, and Kadu lost the Achalpur seat for the first time. He later resigned from his government position.
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