Bharatiya Janata Party MP Kangana Ranaut on Saturday backed Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s controversial slogan "Batenge toh Katenge," calling it a "call for unity". She stated that the BJP is a 'Sanatani' party and further claimed it can also take PoK, if it wants, if it stays united.
This slogan sparked a war of words between the BJP and opposition parties, with the latter arguing that it promotes intolerance and has communal overtones. The BJP, however, has called the slogan as a call to action against those who seek to divide the society.
Kangana Ranaut reiterated the slogan saying that if people stay together then they will remain safe.
"This is a call for unity. We have been taught since childhood that unity is strength. If we are together, we are safe and if we get divided, we will be cut…Our party is a Sanatani party. If our party wants, we can also take PoK together, whereas the opposition’s conspiracy to divide is being unsuccessful," she said.
Earlier, Congress leader Digvijay Singh hit out at CM Yogi Adityanath over his slogan and Prime Minister Modi over his "Ek raho, safe raho" call.
“PM Modi is saying ‘Ek raho, safe raho’. Rahul Gandhi has said correctly that some people want a monopoly over the Indian economy and they are safe if they are united… As far as UP CM Yogi Adityanath is concerned, the way the Supreme Court has given an order on the bulldozer culture, had it been someone else, they must have resigned… CM Yogi takes pride in the bulldozer action. He is welcomed by showering flowers from bulldozers… The bulldozer has been a hallmark of his term. I congratulate the SC judges for their verdict," he said.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had stated on Friday that the people should not misinterpret the slogan and should instead unite together and stand in the fight against terrorism and enemies.
Maharashtra Deputy CMs also disagreed over their stands on Yogi's slogan. While Ajit Pawar said that such slogans were not needed in a state like Maharashtra, Fadnavis asserted there was nothing wrong with the slogan. He also reacted to his ally Pawar slamming the "batenge toh katenge" slogan, saying that the latter will take some time to understand the slogan and the mood of the public since he has been influenced by "anti-Hindu" ideologies.