Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has defended the BJP's contentious 'batenge toh katenge' slogan, asserting it symbolises unity rather than division. The slogan, raised by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and voiced by senior BJP leaders ahead of the Maharashtra and Jharkhand elections, had sparked criticism from the opposition and within the BJP allies.
Gadkari emphasised the slogan reflects the BJP's resolve to rise above sectarian divides. “We are all Indians... united in the fight against terrorism. This (the slogan) is not a communal idea... nor is it targeted at the Muslim or any minority community,” he told NDTV.
The slogan initially gained attention in August when Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath referenced tensions in Bangladesh following Sheikh Hasina's resignation. Linking it to divisiveness on caste lines, Yogi remarked, “You are seeing what is happening in Bangladesh. Those mistakes should not be repeated here... batenge toh katenge, ek rahenge to nek rahenge.”
The remarks drew sharp backlash. Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge termed it “divisive,” urging voters to choose unity over communalism. Even BJP allies like Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar called the slogan "inappropriate for the land of saints and followers of Shiva".
In response, Prime Minister Narendra Modi modified the slogan to "ek ho to safe hain," with BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis arguing critics misunderstood its intent.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, speaking to PTI, had dismissed allegations that the Mahayuti was indulging in divisive politics with slogans like "batenge toh katenge" (divided, we will perish). "Prime Minister Narendra Modi said 'ek hain toh safe hain". Where has he caused division? The Congress is using the British-style divide and rule," he remarked.
Addressing Congress' claims that the BJP seeks to alter the Constitution, Gadkari accused the opposition of misleading the public. He pointed to Congress’ actions during the Emergency, stating, “...if anyone has tampered with the Constitution, it is the Congress... after the Allahabad High Court invalidated Indira Gandhi’s election, the Constitution was ruthlessly amended.”
Speaking to NDTV, the Union minister further clarified, “We will not change the Constitution and not let anyone else do so. The Supreme Court, in the Kesavananda Bharati judgment, firmly established this.”
According to NDTV, Gadkari did not give much importance to allegations linking NCP MP Supriya Sule to bitcoin fraud, contending the election would hinge on governance and the performance of the Shinde government. “This election is based on governance and performance... what the previous government (led by Uddhav Thackeray) versus what we did,” he said.
The allegations, made by a retired police officer, claim Sule and Congress' Maharashtra unit chief Nana Patole were involved in a 2018 cryptocurrency conspiracy. Sule has denied the charges, filing complaints with the Election Commission and Pune’s Cyber Cell, and challenged the BJP to a public debate.
On the question of Maharashtra's next Chief Minister, Gadkari stated, “The identity of the next Maharashtra Chief Minister will be decided after the election results and by the top leadership of the BJP. It is not for me to decide.”
Maharashtra is voting today in a single phase for all 288 assembly seats, with results set to be announced on Saturday alongside those for Jharkhand’s 81 seats and bypolls across the country.
