"Batenge Toh Katenge" Slogan Divides Not Just Allies, But Some In BJP Too

The "Batenge toh katenge (Division is destruction)" slogan, which the Opposition alleged has communal overtones, has already been tweaked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Ek hai toh safe hai," PM Modi had said earlier this month

BJP star campaigner Yogi Adityanath's "Batenge toh katenge" slogan, at the forefront of the party campaign in Maharashtra, is not only making its allies squirm, it is also causing deep discomfort among a section of BJP leaders, which has been voiced by Pankaja Munde and Ashok Chavan. Among allies, Ajit Pawar, the leader of Nationalist Congress Party, has already shared his misgivings, saying while such slogans may work in the north, it is not appropriate for Maharashtra, the "land of saints and followers of Shiva".

The "Batenge toh katenge (Division is destruction)" slogan, which the Opposition alleged has communal overtones, has already been tweaked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Ek hai toh safe hai," PM Modi had said earlier this month, repackaging its message of unity. 

But it did not forestall a gusher of disapproval from party leaders and allies.