NEW DELHI: In the ongoing Maharashtra assembly polls, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s slogan ‘Batenge toh Katenge‘ has sparked debate amongst political leaders, deputy chief ministers Ajit Pawar and Devendra Fadnavis expressing opposing viewpoints.
While Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar said that he does not endorse the slogan, BJP leader Fadnavis, his coalition partner in the Mahayuti alliance, said that there is nothing wrong with the slogan.
Devendra Fadnavis on Friday responded to Ajit Pawar’s comments over UP CM Yogi Adityanath’s ‘batenge toh katenge’ slogan, suggesting Pawar will take time to comprehend public sentiment.
Speaking to ANI, Fadnavis explained that Pawar’s background with groups opposing Hindutva whilst claiming secularism may have influenced his perspective.
“For decades, Ajit Pawar stayed with such ideologies which are secular and anti-Hindu. There is no real secularism amongst those who call themselves secularists. He has stayed with people for whom opposing Hindutva is secularism. It will take some time for him to understand the mood of the public,” Fadnavis told ANI.
“These people either did not understand the sentiment of the public or did not understand the meaning of this statement or while speaking they probably wanted to say something else,” he added.
Fadnavis clarified that “‘Batenge to katenge’ means everyone has to stick together.
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Addressing allegations over anti-Muslim bias, he highlighted that government programmes, including the Ladki Bahin Yojana, serve all communities equally.
Fadnavis defended the slogan, saying, “I don’t see anything wrong in Yogi ji’s slogans. Look at the history of this country. Jab jab bate hai tab gulam bane hai. Whenever this country divided into castes, into states, divided into communities, we became slaves.”
Mahayuti partner and NCP chief Ajit Pawar had said ‘batenge toh katenge’ was not acceptable in Maharashtra.
Pawar in an interview with ANI said, “”I have expressed my disagreement on this (Batenge toh Katenge) in a public rally and media interviews. Some BJP leaders have also expressed the same. ‘Sabka saath, Sabka vikas’ means together with all, development for all…Now, ‘Ek hain toh safe hain…I see it from this angle.”
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The slogan, used by chief minister Yogi Adityanath at several rallies, has been widely condemned by the opposition leaders.
Former Maharashtra CM Ashok Chavan expressed disapproval, stating the slogan lacks appropriateness.
“There is no relevance of this (slogan). Slogans are given at election time. This particular slogan is not in good taste and I don’t think people will appreciate it. Personally speaking, I am not in favour of such slogans,” Chavan told news agency PTI.
BJP leader Pankaja Munde also distanced herself, emphasising her focus on development-oriented politics.
The electoral campaign continues for Maharashtra’s 288 assembly seats, with both Mahayuti and Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) actively seeking voter support. The elections are set for November 20, with results scheduled for November 23.