Elections to the 288-member Maharashtra assembly will be held on November 20.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has openly disagreed with Yogi Adityanath, his ally BJP's star campaigner for the November 20 polls in the state, on his "Batoge toh katoge" (If we divide, we will be cut) slogan calling for Hindu unity.
Commenting on the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister's controversial slogan, Ajit Pawar told NDTV: "All castes should unite and think about India. They should think about Maharashtra. Development cannot happen by creating such differences among each other."
Mr Pawar, who is contesting the first state election since breaking away from his uncle Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party and joining the state's BJP government, faces his nephew Yugendra Pawar, in the polls.
Appearing to critique his ally, Mr Pawar claimed the BJP follows an "80-20" voter strategy - that seeks the support of the 80 per cent and not the 20 per cent - and this has, at times, marginalised minority voices. Calling for a return to Maharashtra's philosophy of inclusion inspired by leaders like Shivaji, Shahu, Phule, and Ambedkar, he said, "I want to follow a political ideology in which everyone is united whether Hindu, Muslim, Dalit or Maratha."
He also spoke about what he believed was politics of inclusiveness under BJP stalwart and former PM Atal Behari Vajpayee. "Remember Vajpayee when he was in power, he tried to take everyone along. His government was both a coalition and a majority, yet he led with an inclusive vision. Our country is so vast, and such thinking resonates with our youth, who are active on social media, constantly seeking new information and forming their opinions," Mr Pawar told NDTV.
"Prime Minister Modi speaks of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas,' and we fully support that slogan. We need everyone to sit together and truly follow that vision. However, if conflicts arise, would you return to the Maha Vikas Aghadi or align with Sharad Pawar's NCP? Our goal is to first form our Mahayuti government and win more MLAs. The election results are out on November 23, and the government must be formed before November 26," he added.
Addressing rumours of rifts within the Pawar family, particularly concerning the Baramati constituency where his nephew has opposed him, Mr Pawar downplayed any ongoing disputes. "Everyone has the right to contest elections," he said.
Elections to the 288-member Maharashtra assembly will be held on November 20 and votes will be counted on November 23.