As the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly election campaign gains momentum, BJP ally and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar has distanced himself from a controversial slogan coined by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. At a rally in Washim, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar was questioned about Adityanath’s slogan, “Batenge toh Katenge” (If we divide, we will be cut), which urges people to unite behind the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance.
Pawar, emphasizing Maharashtra’s distinct identity, said, “Maharashtra belongs to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj, and Mahatma Phule. The people of Maharashtra do not appreciate comparisons with other states.” He continued, “Shivaji Maharaj’s teachings stress unity and taking all sections of society along. This is something Maharashtra has upheld through history.”
The slogan, which has been repeated by Adityanath in rallies across the state, has sparked mixed reactions. Pawar further remarked, “When leaders from other states come to Maharashtra, they make statements that do not resonate here. The people of Maharashtra have never accepted such comments in past elections and are unlikely to do so now.”
Polling for all 288 assembly seats in Maharashtra is scheduled for November 20, with results set to be announced on November 23.