Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis defended Deputy CM Eknath Shinde’s controversial “Jai Gujarat” slogan, stating that it doesn’t imply Shinde loves Gujarat more than Maharashtra. Fadnavis drew a parallel to a past incident involving Sharad Pawar, who had once proclaimed “Jai Maharashtra, Jai Karnataka” during a statue unveiling—yet no one accused him of favoring Karnataka over Maharashtra. He explained that politicians often echo slogans pertinent to the communities they address, suggesting Shinde’s “Jai Gujarat” was an expression of respect toward the Gujarati audience in Pune. Fadnavis emphasized that overanalyzing such remarks is unnecessary and narrow-minded, reminding that “We are all Indians”

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