Maharashtra elections 2024: Ex-Congressman, now in BJP, Ashok Chavan doesn’t like Batenge toh katenge slogan

BJP leader Ashok Chavan with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an election rally in Nanded on November 9. Pic/PTI

BJP MP and former Maharashtra chief minister Ashok Chavan has said the slogan "batenge to katenge" is not in good taste and is irrelevant, and the people will not appreciate it. Chavan also said he doesn't attach much importance to the "vote jihad-dharma yuddha" rhetoric, as the BJP and ruling Mahayuti's policy is the development of the country and Maharashtra.

Notably, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Yogi Adityanath has been raising the slogan of "batenge to katenge" (divided we fall) in his rallies ahead of the November 20 Maharashtra assembly polls. Asked about it, Chavan said, "There is no relevance of this [slogan]. Slogans are given during election time. This particular slogan is not in good taste and I don't think people will appreciate it. Personally speaking, I am not in favour of such slogans."

"Every political functionary has to take a decision after a lot of thinking. We also have to see that nobody's sentiments are hurt," the BJP leader added, while speaking at Ardhapur in Nanded during his election campaign for Mahayuti. Asked if the poll campaign was drifting away from the issue of development amid the "vote jihad-dharma yuddha" narrative, Chavan said the Mahayuti and BJP's policy was Viksit Bharat and Viksit Maharashtra, as spelt out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"I don't give much importance [to vote jihad rhetoric]. Personally speaking, development is my only agenda. Therefore, people appreciate my stand despite me changing the party," said the parliamentarian, who joined the BJP in February this year after a long association with the Congress.

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