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, reported news agency ANI.

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," reported ANI.

He said that upon recognising this alleged "conspiracy", both he and Deputy CM Chief Minister Eknath Shinde reached out to Maharashtra's saints and spiritual leaders, including Ramgiri Maharaj, seeking their intervention.