'Batenge Toh Katenge', 'Ek Hain Toh Safe Hain' Positive Slogans For Unity, Aim To Counter Congress' 'Vote Jihad': Devendra Fadnavis

Maharashtra Deputy CM and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Devendra Fadnavis has said that party's call for Hindu unity through 'batenge toh katenge', and 'ek hain toh safe hain' slogans is a counter to Congress' alleged 'vote jihad' tactics.

In an interview with The Indian Express, Fadnavis alleged that Congress indulged in vote jihad to consolidate Muslim votes during the Lok Sabha polls.

The BJP leader alleged that Congress also tried to created division among Hindus on the caste lines for political gains.

"In politics when someone creates a narrative then it must be countered. We saw that in the Lok Sabha polls, Congress indulged in vote jihad. For example, in a seat like Dhule, we had a lead of 1.9 lakh votes from five assembly segments, but they got a lead at one segment in Malegaon central and defeated us by a margin of just 4,000 votes. The same happened in 11 other LS constituencies where there was extreme polarisation of Muslim votes, this is vote jihad. Fatwas were issued by maulvis and along with that, Congress created divisions along caste lines. That means on the one hand, they polarised Muslims, and on the other, divided Hindus," Fadnavis was quoted as saying by IE.

"Historically, whenever there was a division of society, the country was divided and society suffered. So, I think ‘batenge toh katenge’ and ‘ek hain toh safe hain’ are positive slogans for unity and there is nothing wrong with it," he added.

When asked why the idea of unity seems limited to Hindus and not extended to all religions, Fadnavis defended the slogan, arguing it serves as a response to religiously-driven political directives that divide communities.

"Have you seen any Hindu religious leaders issuing fatwas that if Hindus do not vote for the BJP then it would be dishonesty towards God? Issuing fatwas is an issue as it is a political fatwa and creates communal divide. We will have to react to that narrative. In my speech, 95 percent is about development and only 5 percent is on countering that narrative. Through these slogans we are only saying that we should be united," he said.

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