Batenge Toh Katenge
New Delhi: Yogi Adityanath, a prominent campaigner for the BJP, has introduced the slogan “batenge toh katenge” as a central theme in the party’s campaign in Maharashtra. This phrase is not only unsettling for the party’s allies but has also raised concerns among certain BJP leaders, as expressed by Pankaja Munde and Ashok Chavan. Ajit Pawar, the leader of the Nationalist Congress Party, has openly criticized the slogan, suggesting that while it may resonate in northern regions, it is ill-suited for Maharashtra, a state known for its spiritual heritage and reverence for Shiva.
The slogan, which the Opposition claims carries communal implications, has been modified by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who recently stated, “Ek hai toh safe hai,” thereby emphasizing a message of unity.
Despite this attempt to reframe the slogan, it has not mitigated the wave of criticism from party members and allies. Pankaja Munde, the daughter of the late BJP leader Gopinath Munde, was among the first to voice her dissent. She remarked, “My political approach differs significantly. I will not endorse this simply because I am part of the same party. I believe our focus should be solely on development. A leader’s responsibility is to embrace every individual in this region as part of our community. Therefore, we should refrain from introducing such divisive topics in Maharashtra,” she stated yesterday.
Today, Ashok Chavan, who transitioned from the Congress to the BJP in February ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, articulated his position clearly. “This slogan lacks relevance. Such phrases are typically employed during election campaigns. This particular slogan is in poor taste, and I doubt it will resonate with the public. Personally, I do not support such slogans,” he conveyed to the Press Trust of India.
Ajit Pawar also expressed his disapproval candidly. “I do not endorse it. I have reiterated this multiple times. It will not be effective in Maharashtra. While it may find traction in Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, or other regions, it is not suitable here,” stated the nephew of Sharad Pawar, whose party has historically garnered significant support from the Muslim community.
The Eknath Shinde faction of the Shiv Sena appears to be cautious regarding the slogan’s ability to unify minority voters in support of the Opposition, potentially undermining the development and welfare initiatives that the government has been diligently pursuing. However, no party leader has publicly commented on this issue.
Today, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis sought to clarify the situation, asserting that Pankaja Munde and Ashok Chavan have not fully comprehended the “core meaning” of the slogan, which he described as a message of unity.
“Batenge to katenge serves as a counter-narrative to the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi’s divisive tactics, emphasizing that ‘everyone must remain united,'” Mr. Fadnavis stated during a media interaction.
In response to Ajit Pawar, Mr. Fadnavis remarked to ANI that the NCP leader has adhered to “secular and anti-Hindu ideologies” for many years. “He has associated with individuals for whom opposing Hindutva equates to secularism. It will take time for him to grasp the public sentiment,” he noted.
Meanwhile, the Opposition MVA is relishing the ruling alliance’s discomfort. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has challenged the BJP to choose between Yogi Adityanath’s “divisive” slogan and PM Modi’s call for unity.
“While Yogi states, ‘Batenge toh katenge,’ Modi presents the contrasting slogan, ‘Ek hain toh safe hain (If we are united, we are safe).’ You must decide whose slogan to endorse—Yogiji’s or Modi’s?”
NCP’s Supriya Sule commented that the party that has fractured alliances is now itself divided. “The BJP is conflicted. On one hand, Devabhau expresses one viewpoint, while ally Pankaja Munde articulates another… We need to ask Devabhau how this situation has become 50-50,” she remarked.
Shaina NC, who is running on a Shiv Sena ticket, accused the MVA of distorting statements. “The MVA is propagating a false narrative… They are intentionally misrepresenting our leaders’ statements and spreading misinformation. The MVA lacks understanding of the context.”
BJP’s Kirit Somaiya stated, “Yogi-ji has indicated that division will lead to our downfall. Modi ji emphasizes that unity ensures our safety. We are raising awareness about vote jihad for a specific purpose. Our intention is to caution the public regarding vote jihad. All BJP leaders share this perspective. While some statements from leaders may have been misinterpreted, the overarching goal remains consistent among us all.”
