Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya distanced himself from the controversial “batooge to katoge” slogan made by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Maurya clarified that the slogan is not a BJP slogan and should not be treated as such.
Maurya said that the phrase, which was mentioned in a specific context, should not be viewed as a political slogan. He said, “There is no need to treat any statement made in a specific context as a political slogan. It is not a BJP slogan, and the media should not be worried about it.” Maurya further added that the concern over such slogans should be addressed by leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav and Asaduddin Owaisi, as they “seem to be the ones making the most noise about it”.
Speaking on behalf of BJP, Maurya shifted the focus to the slogans given by the party’s top leaders. He reminded everyone that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given slogans like “We are united, we are safe,” “sabka saath, sabka vikas” (together with all, development for all), and “atmanirbhar bharat” (self-reliant India). These, according to Maurya, represent the core values and objectives of the party.
Maurya also highlighted that CM Yogi Adityanath, as the leader of Uttar Pradesh, has always been aligned with Prime Minister Modi’s vision, particularly emphasising the “We are united, we are safe” slogan in his speeches. The Deputy CM further said that the slogan “batooge to katoge” was used by CM Yogi in a particular context, and it would not be appropriate for him to comment on the matter further.
While addressing the criticism surrounding the slogan, Maurya said that it was not a party-wide statement, but rather something said in a specific scenario. He reiterated that BJP’s official slogans are decided by the party and should be the only ones considered as official.
Maurya also criticised the opposition, particularly Akhilesh Yadav, the leader of the Samajwadi Party (SP). He made strong remarks, saying that Akhilesh Yadav’s political career is in decline, calling it a “sinking ship.” He claimed that the SP is on the verge of becoming an “extinct party” due to its dwindling support. According to Maurya, Yadav’s party is facing numerous internal problems, including the decline of its popularity and the loss of voter trust.
Maurya also accused Samajwadi Party of various wrongdoings during its tenure in power. He alleged that Akhilesh Yadav’s government had cracked down on competitive students, filed false cases against political rivals, and used ill-gotten wealth for personal gains. He further stated that the SP’s focus on building a political legacy through “Sefai” (the Yadav family’s village) was detrimental to the state’s growth.
Maurya also challenged Akhilesh Yadav, saying that he and the BJP would bury the Samajwadi Party once and for all. “I am digging a deep pit for the Samajwadi Party,” Maurya declared, suggesting that the party’s future is bleak and that it will soon be irrelevant in the political landscape of Uttar Pradesh.
With the upcoming byelections in the state, Maurya expressed confidence that the BJP would win all nine seats. He emphasised that the party’s strong leadership, including Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, would lead to a sweeping victory in these crucial elections.
