Kolhapur, Aug. 6 -- Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday pitched for national unity and alleged that a deliberate campaign of "vote jihad" was undertaken during the recent Lok Sabha elections to counter nationalist ideologies, and called upon the state's spiritual powers to resist what he described as a "silent invasion" on Indian culture.

Addressing a gathering at the 178th Akhand Harinam Saptah dedicated to Shri Sant Sadguru Yogiraj Gangagiriji Maharaj, Fadnavis said, "In the Lok Sabha elections, an experiment was carried out. A system of 'vote jihad' was created. Few people came together with the aim of defeating nationalist ideologies."

He said that upon recognising this alleged "conspiracy", both he and Deputy ...