Maharashtra polls | BJP puts up Yogi's 'Batenge to Katenge' slogan posters in Mumbai

Ahead of the Assembly elections in Maharashtra next month, BJP activist Vishwabandhu Rai has put up posters featuring Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the slogan “Batenge to Katenge” in different parts of Mumbai, creating a buzz in the state capital.

Defending his move, Rai said, “The Opposition is engaging in political manoeuvres, and we have only responded to it. The people of North India believe in Yogi Adityanath and his slogan ‘Batenge to Katenge’, and so we have started to respond to the Opposition tactics in Maharashtra as well. In Haryana, you have seen how people have stood together and responded, supporting the BJP. We are now moving ahead on the same pattern in Maharashtra,” he said.

Also Read: ‘Batenge to katenge’: UP CM’s message of ‘unity’ on Janmashtami citing Bangladesh

Slogan given in reference to Bangladesh

Interestingly, Yogi Adityanath had given this slogan while referring to the alleged atrocities on Hindus in neighbouring Bangladesh in the aftermath of the ouster of Sheikh Hasina government there.

Addressing an event in Agra in the third week of August, Yogi had given a clarion call that sounded more like a warning to the Hindu majority in India, ‘Batenge to Katenge’, which may have played a role in how Haryana voted recently.

“Nothing can be above the nation. And the nation will be empowered only when we are united. ‘Batenge to Katenge’. You are seeing what is happening in Bangladesh. Those mistakes should not be repeated here… ‘Batenge to Katenge, Ek Rahenge to Nek Rahenge’,” the UP chief minister said at a public meeting in Agra with a suggestive smile.

Haryana, that voted in October and has intricate caste divisions, seems to have received Yogi Adityanath’s message from Agra and given the BJP a third chance.

Also Read: Maharashtra | Sena (UBT) alleges bid to include bogus voters in seats to be contested by BJP

Opposition parties slammed Yogi Adityanath

On the other hand, the Opposition parties accused Yogi Adityanath of dividing people following his “Batenge to Katenge” remarks on Bangladesh.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said while Yogi Adityanath aims to become prime minister, he should avoid getting involved in foreign affairs, which are handled by New Delhi. “This is not the first time that the chief minister has done something like this. He has done it in the past too. I hope ‘Delhi-wale’ will make him understand that he should not interfere in the decisions that are taken by Delhi,” he said.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi said that under Adityanath's rule, Muslim homes were being demolished with bulldozers and accused him of delivering hate speeches against the community.