BJP eyes Maharashtra polls ... with theme 'Ek hain toh safe hain (If Together, we are safe)' !!

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi's slogan 'Ek hain toh safe hain' (Together, we are safe), aimed at criticising Congress for divisive politics, became a focal point of the BJP's Assembly election campaign in Maharashtra.

The newspaper advertisement released by the BJP also features the logos of its Mahayuti alliance partners, Shiv Sena and the NCP.  

The slogan 'Ek hain toh safe hain' (Together, we are safe), promoted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seen as a criticism of Congress for allegedly engaging in divisive caste politics to create rifts among backward classes, featured prominently in newspapers across Maharashtra on Monday (Nov 11) as the BJP ramps up its Assembly election campaign.  

Notably, at a recent poll rally in Maharashtra's Dhule, PM Modi hit out at Congress saying that the party's sole agenda was to make one caste fight against another. 

"They do not want SCs, STs and OBCs to progress and get their due recognition. Remember, ‘Ek hai toh safe hai’ (We are safe if we are united),” the Prime Minister asserted.  

The remarks drew criticism from Congress and other opposition parties, who accused the BJP of pitting communities against each other and fostering a sense of "us vs them". They alleged that the BJP plays on fears and insecurities, potentially deepening societal polarisation.

Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge questioned the need for using such a slogan, asking who in the country feels threatened to warrant this message. He alleged that the real threat to the nation comes from the BJP and the RSS.

Interestingly, the slogan was also met with resistance from BJP ally Ajit Pawar's NCP. 

Ajit Pawar publicly objected to PM Modi slogan's original version--‘batenge, toh katenge’ (Divided, we fall)--which was introduced by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. 

Pawar mantained that such a narrative would not resonate in Maharashtra, where the focus should remain on development.