In 2019, Uddhav tried to checkmate BJP’s Hindutva juggernaut by providing an alternative, reformist, Hindutva in politics. In the first assembly session in 2019 he attended as chief minister, Uddhav admitted that his party had made a mistake by mixing religion and politics. Insisting that he and his party were staunch believers and supporters of Hindutva politics, Uddhav made a differentiation between BJP and his brand of Hindutva.
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Using religion to stoke the fire and win power is not my Hindutva, Uddhav said in an interview with party mouthpiece Saamana in 2020. Spreading misinformation or misusing (Hindutva) to gain power is not my Hindutva, said Uddhav. All governments in India including BJP’s at the Centre are being run within the framework of the Indian Constitution and not based on Hindutva, he said.
