Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has responded to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent slogan, “Ek hai toh safe hai” (We are safe if we are united) suggesting that Maharashtra’s citizens want a different kind of safety by voting the BJP out.
PM Modi made his unity call during a rally in Dhule accusing Congress of dividing castes and stalling the progress of Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). “Ek hai toh safe hai,” he repeated emphasizing unity against alleged divisive politics.
Raut responded strongly saying, “I don’t understand why PM Modi is using such language. After the earlier slogan ‘Batenge toh katenge’ failed, he has now introduced this new one. People are already safe in Maharashtra, but whenever Modi visits, the state becomes unsafe as he instigates divisions and provokes unrest. To truly ensure safety, we need to remove the BJP.”
The latest catchphrase from the prime minister comes with the escalating issue surrounding Yogi Adityanath who is the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh and his recent remarks, “Batenge toh katenge” (If we speak, they will be cut down). At a rally in Agra, the UP chief minister first used the word in reference to the crimes in Bangladesh against Hindu minority. Critics are questioning the implied meaning of the expression which caused controversy.
The upcoming Maharashtra Assembly elections on November 20 will see two major alliances competing while the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Shiv Sena (UBT) and Congress compete against the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance which includes an NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar and Shiv Sena led by Eknath Shinde. The results will be announced on November 23.