India, April 29 -- To expand his footprint in Vidarbha, a stronghold of his alliance partner, the BJP, deputy chief minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde has offered a legislative council berth to peasant leader Bachchu Kadu. But there's a rider - Kadu would have to merge his local party, Prahar Janshakti, with the Sena.

The offer comes ahead of biennial elections to ten legislative council seats scheduled for May 12. For both Shinde and Kadu, the timing is just right. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis first set up a committee to examine the farm loan waiver demand following a protest held by Kadu in October and subsequently announced a Rs.35,000-crore loan waiver scheme for farmers in March. Kadu is keen on the berth, but not at the...