UP Deputy CM Maurya evades comment on 'batenge toh katenge' query

Prayagraj (UP), Nov 16 (PTI) Amid opposition criticism of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's "batenge toh katenge" slogan, his deputy Keshav Prasad Maurya on Saturday refused to comment on it, saying questions about it should be directed to the chief minister.
    "Do you, the media, want to create divisions between us," the deputy chief minister told news persons who asked him about the issue on the sidelines of a programme in support of the BJP candidate for the Phulpur assembly bypoll Deepak Patel.
    "If the honourable chief minister has made a statement, why do you need a comment from me? Whatever the chief minister says, any questions regarding his statement should be directed to him. We all work together for the development of the state," Maurya added.
    The deputy chief minister also took aim at opposition parties, alleging that they were trying to impede India's progress.
    "The opposition parties want to halt the rise of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and prevent India from becoming a developed nation. But despite their opposition, the people of India have made Modiji the prime minister and strengthened the BJP," he added.
    Earlier, during a public address, Adityanath had said, "We had to wait 500 years in Ayodhya because we were divided. We endured humiliation in Kashi and Mathura due to our divisions. When we were divided, we were cut. Today, the biggest challenge facing India is those who seek to divide us in the name of caste."

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)