Nagpur, India: The Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra is grappling with differences over Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s slogan “Batenge To Katenge,” with Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis responding to recent criticism from Ajit Pawar on Friday.

Fadnavis addressed Pawar’s comments, pointing to his long association with ideologies Fadnavis described as “secular and anti-Hindu.” “Ajit Pawar has been aligned for decades with those who claim secularism but see opposing Hindutva as part of it. There is no real secularism among those who label themselves secular,” he said. Fadnavis added that Pawar might need time to understand public sentiment, suggesting Pawar and his allies either misinterpret public feelings or the statements made.

Defending Adityanath’s slogan, Fadnavis argued that history supports the idea of unity, saying, “I don’t see anything wrong in Yogi ji’s message. History shows that whenever this nation has been divided—by caste, community, or region—it has suffered. If we divide, we are cut apart. This is our country’s story,” he said, questioning the opposition’s objection to the slogan.

Adityanath introduced the slogan during a Maharashtra campaign rally, echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message of unity, summarized in his slogan, “Ek hai toh safe hai” (“If we are united, we are safe”).

Maharashtra’s Mahayuti alliance, comprising the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena, and Ajit Pawar’s NCP faction, faces opposition from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which includes Congress, the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, and Sharad Pawar’s NCP. The state heads to the polls on November 20, with vote counting set for November 23.