Patna: Rajya Sabha member Upendra Kushwaha, whose Rashtriya Lok Morcha (RLM) is an ally of the BJP, on Wednesday objected to the saffron party’s slogan “Batonge toh katoge…”.
Kushwaha managed to reach the Rajya Sabha due to the BJP’s support.
When asked to comment on the “Batonge toh katoge…” slogan, which has recently gained traction in the poll arena, Kushwaha said he doesn’t support such things. “I have reiterated that I don’t support such a slogan,” he said, adding, “Meri sahmati nahin hai.”
Kushwaha was nominated to the Upper House that fell vacant after Vivek Thakur of the BJP was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Nawada seat. Thakur’s tenure is left for 19 months.
A day earlier, JD(U) minister Ashok Choudhary also distanced himself from BJP’s campaign, saying he and his party believe in “development-oriented politics”.
“Some say ‘Batonge toh katoge’. Kaun musalmaan kisko kaat raha hai (Which Muslim is killing whom)? When my father was sick, it was a Muslim who donated two bottles of blood to him. So how can I believe that Muslims harm others?” rural works development minister Choudhary told the media on Tuesday.
Choudhary also wondered about the genesis of the Maoist movement in the country, which killed many. “Maoists spread in large parts of the country. So were they Muslims?” he asked. Choudhary, who was recently appointed as JD(U)’s national general secretary, is considered close to CM Nitish Kumar.