Maharashtra Assembly Elections: Ajit Pawar's Rejection of 'Batenge Toh Katenge' Slogan Triggers Backlash from Ally Devendra Fadnavis

Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar’s rejection of the "batenge toh katenge" slogan has sparked a strong response from his political ally, Devendra Fadnavis. The statement, which disapproved of the slogan coined by BJP leader Yogi Adityanath, has ignited tensions within the ruling Maharashtra alliance days ahead of the state elections.

Ajit Pawar, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and nephew of party chief Sharad Pawar, was quick to dismiss the slogan. “I am not supporting it. I have said this several times. It will not work in Maharashtra. This may work in Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, or some other places, but not here,” said Ajit Pawar. His remarks, however, did not sit well with the BJP leadership in Maharashtra.

Devendra Fadnavis, former Chief Minister and a senior BJP leader, strongly reacted to Pawar’s comments, suggesting that Pawar’s understanding of the slogan was still shaped by his past alliances. “Ajit Pawar has stayed with ideologies that are secular and anti-Hindu for decades. There is no real secularism among those who call themselves secularists,” Fadnavis said. He went on to add that Pawar’s past associations with parties opposing Hindutva had influenced his stance.

Fadnavis further criticized Pawar for misunderstanding the public sentiment behind the slogan. “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,” Fadnavis said, defending the slogan’s underlying message of unity and strength through solidarity.

The controversial slogan, meaning "if we divide, we will perish," was introduced by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during a recent rally in Maharashtra. The slogan has faced criticism from opposition leaders, who allege that it carries communal overtones. Prime Minister Narendra Modi later modified the phrase to “ek hai toh safe hai” to emphasize unity, repackaging its message of solidarity.

According to reports, the slogan has also caused internal disagreements within the BJP. Pankaja Munde, the daughter of the late BJP leader Gopinath Munde, made it clear that she did not support the controversial message, despite her party affiliation. “A leader's job is to make every living person on this land our own. Therefore, we need not bring any such topic to Maharashtra,” Munde stated, distancing herself from the slogan.

Ashok Chavan, another prominent BJP leader who joined the party earlier this year after leaving Congress, also expressed his disapproval. “I don’t think people will appreciate it. Personally speaking, I am not in favour of such a slogan. It has no relevance and is not in good taste,” Chavan said.

The opposition has capitalized on the conflicting statements within the BJP, accusing the party of being divided over the slogan’s message. They have urged the BJP to choose between Yogi Adityanath’s “divisive” rhetoric and Prime Minister Modi’s call for unity.

In response, BJP leader Kirit Somaiya dismissed the opposition’s narrative, claiming that both slogans ultimately conveyed the same message. “Yogi-ji has said that if we are divided, we will be destroyed. Modi-ji is saying that if we are united, we are safe. We are just warning people against vote jihad,” Somaiya asserted, defending the consistency of the BJP’s message.

With Maharashtra’s elections fast approaching, the political atmosphere is charged as the state prepares to vote on November 20. The results will be announced on November 23.​