‘Vote Jihad’ a term coined by Fadnavis to give communal colour to poll: Sharad Pawar

KOLHAPUR: Deputy chief minister and senior BJP politician Devendra Fadnavis coined the term "Vote Jihad" because, in some constituencies, minority community members voted for Maha Vikas Aghadi in the Lok Sabha election, said NCP (SCP) chief Sharad Pawar said in Satara on Saturday.

"In Pune too, in one area, a particular community — the Hindu community — votes for BJP, because they follow the same ideology, but that does not mean ‘jihad'. Using the term ‘Vote Jihad', Fadnavis and his associates are trying to give a religious colour to the election. We are totally against it," added Pawar.

The senior NCP (SCP) politician was responding to reporters when they asked about Fadnavis showing videos of Maulana Sajjad Nomani purportedly saying MVA politicians are a part of "Vote Jihad".

"Fadnavis, in his speeches, is trying to show that a community voted in unity in the Lok Sabha election, which led to BJP's defeat in several Lok Sabha constituencies. The term has been coined by Fadnavis, and no one else. In the Lok Sabha election, the minorities voted for Mahavikas Aghadi in some constituencies. If any constituency has more voters from a particular community, it does not mean there is any form of jihad taking place there," Pawar said.

When asked about the ‘Batenge Toh Katenge' slogan of BJP politicians, Pawar said, "They are now sure that they would not be forming the govt. Therefore, they are trying to tarnish the relationship between Hindus and Muslims."

While some Mahayuti politicians are against the ‘Batenge Toh Katenge' slogan, Fadnavis has backed it accusing Congress and MVA of dividing society on caste lines by raking up issues such as Samvidhan Bachao and caste census demand.

Pawar said after the drubbing in the Lok Sabha elections, BJP and its allies are trying to pour money through schemes to please people. "They took the Lok Sabha election loss seriously and decided to pour money to make people happy. I see a formula here — they are desperate to win the election by any means possible. For women, security is a top priority. Farmers worry about the prices of their produce such as soyabean and cotton. Youths are in distress because of the unemployment crisis in Maharashtra," said Pawar.

"People should call you neta"

Sharad Pawar, when asked to comment on the fact that Ajit Pawar is calling himself the "leader of the party", said it is pointless. "People should call you the neta. It is useless calling yourself the leader," he said.

Did meet at Adani's place, didn't hold meeting with him

When asked about Ajit Pawar's claims about a meeting between industrialist Gautam Adani and the NCP and BJP brass on govt formation, Sharad Pawar acknowledghed there indeed was a meeting at Adani's residence. "I went to his residence, it is true. However, the meeting did not take place with Adani," said Pawar.


Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.