"Misfortune that such words are used": Congress' Ashok Gehlot on 'batenge toh katenge' remarks

Mumbai: Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said on Sunday that it is "misfortune" of the country that such words are being used referring to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's "batenge toh katenge" remarks.
Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of MVA's manifesto release event, Gehlot said, "It is the misfortune of the country that such words are being used. After independence, I have not seen any leader giving such a statement."
"What is the meaning of 'batoge toh katoge'? No other party including BJP, which was earlier Jan Sangh party, has used such words till date," he added.
Earlier, Congress National President Mallikarjun Kharge targeted the BJP over the slogan 'batenge to katenge', saying it was divisive.
He also lashed out at the BJP leaders over slogans being raised by them in the poll-bound states of Jharkhand and Maharashtra, saying the party has always resorted to "divisive politics and sloganeering" to divert public attention and mislead people.
BJP leader Kirit Somaiya earlier defended CM Yogi's remarks as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Ek hai toh safe hai' remark, citing concerns over the growing number of Rohingya and Bangladeshi infiltrators in Mumbai.
Speaking to ANI, Kirit Somaiya said, "PM Modi says 'Ek hai toh safe hai', UP CM Yogi Adityanath says 'Batenge toh katenge'. I have a report from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences."
"According to this report, the way the number of Rohingyas and Bangladeshi infiltrators is increasing in Mumbai, the Hindu population in the city will be reduced to 54 per cent. That is why we (BJP) say 'Ek hai toh safe hai," he added.
Voting for the 288-member Maharashtra legislative assembly is scheduled to be held on November 20 and counting on November 23.