BJP’s alliance partner Ajit Pawar has expressed displeasure over the saffron party’s slogan “Batenge toh katenge” in the ongoing campaign for the Vidhan Sabha polls in Maharashtra. “Maharashtra works on the ideals of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Dr. B.
R. Ambedkar and Chhatrapati Shahu. I have said this several times.
Such slogans will not work in Maharashtra. This may work in UP, Jharkhand or some other places,” Mr. Pawar said.
“The life and teachings of Shivaji Maharaj are inclusive and have united all communities and classes. People from other states often come to Maharashtra and speak their mind but such remarks are not liked by the people here and are unacceptable,” he added. The slogan, first introduced by UP chief minister and BJP leader Yogi Adityanath in the wake of anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh, has become a major part of the BJP’s campaigning in Maharashtra.
As BJP’s star campaigner in the polls, Yogi has reiterated the slogan during his rallies and even his posters with the remarks have come up in Maharashtra. Pawar, who is set to contest the elections from Baramati, emphasised that the focus in Maharashtra should be on development. “We should be concentrating on ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas,’ not divisive politics,” he said distancing himself from BJP’s polarising narrative assuring the state is committed to communal harmony.
According to political observers, Mr. Pawar’s perceived discomfort over the UP CM’s remarks stems from the.