Maharashtra election: Posters with CM Yogi's 'batenge toh katenge' slogan spotted in Mumbai

UP CM Yogi Aadityanath had made the remark in the wake of the upheaval in Bangladesh.

Ahead of the Maharashtra assembly elections, posters featuring Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the slogan “batenge to kitenge” were spotted at various parts of Mumbai recently. BJP member Vishwabnadhu Rai put up these posters in various parts of the city.

Rai claimed to be associated with the BJP and said his motive is to prevent a division of pro-BJP votes in the upcoming election.

“The Opposition is indulging in political manoeuvres and we are responding to it through our campaign. North Indians in the state believe in Yogi Adityanath and his slogan of ‘batenge to katenge’. So we have started responding to the Opposition’s tactics. We have witnessed how people in Haryana were united to support the BJP. In a similar manner, we are going to apply this in the state,” he told reporters.

According to Indian Express, however, Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar said the ruling party has not put up the posters and Rai does not hold any post in the party. However, he said a sizeable population feels society will suffer if there is a division of votes.

The Maharashtra elections will take place on November 20 and the counting of votes will be held on November 23.

Commenting on the content of the posters, BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told Times of India, "When India achieved Independence, partition occurred. Subsequently, people witnessed the horrors of partition. This ('Batenge to Katenge') captures the sentiment that we must prevent this from happening again."

BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya also posted  a video on the partition of India with the caption “A hint is enough for an intelligent person” on X. The video also shows the consequences of division for Hindus.

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Kailash Vijayvargiya (@KailashOnline) October 23, 2024

What did CM Yogi say?

Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath had in August made a strong pitch for national unity as he cited the turmoil in Bangladesh to warn against the consequences of divisions in society. "Aap dekh rahe hain Bangladesh mein kya ho raha hai? Wo galatiyan yahan nahi honi chahiye. Batenge toh katenge! Ek rahenge to nek rahenge, surakshit rahenge aur samriddhi ki parakashtha ko pahuchenge. (You are seeing what is happening in Bangladesh. Those mistakes should not be repeated here. If we are divided, we will be destroyed. If we are united, we will be secure and we will prosper,” the CM said.