New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) ambitious strategy to consolidate power in Maharashtra through a potent alliance with Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar has hit a significant snag. Their campaign, fueled by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s controversial “Bantenge to Katenge” (We will divide, we will cut) slogan, intended to rally Hindu voters against perceived threats, has instead triggered a maelstrom of internal dissent and inter-party tensions. The slogan, initially successful in Haryana, has proven to be a double-edged sword in Maharashtra’s complex political landscape.
While the BJP aims to transcend caste divisions by uniting Hindus under this rallying cry, the slogan has encountered stiff resistance from key figures within its own alliance and even within the BJP itself.
The slogan’s “divisive nature” has particularly rankled Ajit Pawar, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader and Deputy Chief Minister. Pawar sharply criticised the slogan, asserting that Maharashtra’s rich secular history, “rooted in the ideals of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Jyotiba Phule, and Babasaheb Ambedkar, is fundamentally incompatible with such provocative rhetoric”. He advocates for a more inclusive approach, emphasising the importance of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” (Together with all, development for all).
Eknath Shinde, leader of the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), although a key BJP ally, has also distanced himself from the controversial slogan. Shinde has opted for a development-centric campaign, highlighting his government’s achievements over the past two and a half years. This strategic shift of the BJP sallies shows the potential damage the slogan might inflict on their electoral prospects, potentially alienating voters who value a more inclusive political discourse.
The backlash against the slogan extends beyond the alliance partners. Within the BJP itself, prominent leaders, including former Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis, Pankaja Munde, and Ashok Chavan, have expressed reservations. While Fadnavis attempted to defend the slogan asserting that it was targeted at the Maha Vikas Aghadi’s poll campaign, Munde and Chavan have openly distanced themselves.
Munde, a prominent OBC leader within the BJP, emphasised the need for development-focused politics, rejecting the divisive nature of the slogan. Chavan, a leading Maratha figure, echoed similar sentiments, questioning the slogan’s relevance and efficacy in Maharashtra’s diverse electorate. He said that he does not give importance to rhetoric like ‘vote jihad versus dharma yudh’.
The controversy surrounding “Bantenge to Katenge” has also caused friction between the BJP and its allies, notably the Janata Dal (United) in Bihar, which has publicly dissociated itself from the “divisive rhetoric”. This internal discord within the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) exposed the fragility of the BJP’s alliance and the challenges of maintaining unity among its diverse regional partners.
Maharashtra’s BJP faces a turbulent period, grappling with internal power struggles and navigating complex caste dynamics as the 2024 elections approach. A key fault line runs between Devendra Fadnavis, a Brahmin leader representing the party’s established power structure, and Dhananjay Munde, a prominent OBC leader harbouring resentment from being passed over for the Chief Ministership in 2014 in favour of Fadnavis. This simmering rivalry threatens to erupt as the party considers its strategy for the upcoming elections.
The upcoming CM candidacy is a major point of contention. While Fadnavis currently holds a powerful position, the possibility of another leader stepping forward can’t be ruled out. This uncertainty is further complicated by the significant political influence of the Maratha community in Maharashtra, a factor that the BJP needs to carefully consider in its candidate selection. Any misstep could destabilize the party’s fragile unity.
As a result, the BJP’s strategy of using religious and caste-based narratives, symbolised by the “Bantenge to Katenge” slogan, has encountered resistance from both its allies and political rivals, who fear it could alienate Muslim voters and harm the state’s secular fabric.
Meanwhile, both Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde, key players in the state’s political landscape, are treading carefully, avoiding overt involvement in the BJP’s internal disputes. They seem keenly aware that exacerbating the tensions within the BJP could disrupt the precarious political balance in Maharashtra, impacting their own positions of power.
