Nitin Gadkari defends ‘batenge to katenge’ slogan, calls it symbol of unity

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has defended the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) contentious slogan, ‘Batenge To Katenge’, stating it represents a call for unity rather than division. Speaking to NDTV in an exclusive interview on Wednesday, Gadkari asserted that the slogan reflects the party’s commitment to transcending sectarian divides. “We are all Indians, united in the fight against terrorism. This slogan is not a communal idea nor targeted at any minority community,” he said.

The slogan first gained attention when Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath referenced unrest in Bangladesh and criticized opposition parties for allegedly prioritizing minority votes over national interest. However, the phrase quickly drew criticism from various quarters, including the opposition and even some BJP allies, who deemed it inappropriate. Leaders like Ajit Pawar and Pankaja Munde distanced themselves from the statement, citing its potential to alienate minority communities.

To address the backlash, the BJP modified the slogan to ‘Ek Ho To Safe Hain’, a move aimed at rebranding its messaging. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis defended the change, accusing critics of misunderstanding the original intent of the slogan. Nevertheless, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge challenged the BJP, urging voters to choose between Adityanath’s “divisive” rhetoric and the Prime Minister’s vision of unity.

In the same interview, Gadkari refuted allegations that the BJP intends to amend the Constitution if it secures a significant parliamentary majority. He accused Congress of spreading “completely baseless propaganda” and pointed to historical amendments made during the Emergency under Indira Gandhi’s rule. “We will not change the Constitution and will not let anyone else do so. The Supreme Court’s Kesavananda Bharati judgment firmly protects its basic structure,” he clarified.

Gadkari also addressed accusations of bitcoin fraud against Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Supriya Sule, which surfaced during the Maharashtra elections. A retired police officer had alleged that Sule and Congress state unit chief Nana Patole were involved in a cryptocurrency scheme to generate illegal election funds. While Sule has denied the claims and filed complaints with the Election Commission, Gadkari downplayed the issue, saying the election will be decided on governance and the Shinde government’s performance.

As voting takes place in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, Gadkari emphasized that the decision on the next Maharashtra Chief Minister will rest with the party leadership. “It is not for me to decide,” he stated. The results of the elections for Maharashtra’s 288 seats and Jharkhand’s 81 seats, along with various by-polls, will be announced on Saturday.