Pointing out that Opposition was insulting him for pre-fixing “chowkidar” in his name, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday likened it to “naamdaars” (dynastic leaders) defaming “kaamdaars” (those risen in lives by hard work) and asserted “these are the same people who are drawing sympathetic chord in Pakistan.”
With chowkidar being the buzzword this election, Modi on Wednesday held an interaction with security guards across the country on the eve of Holi and in an apparent reference to Congress president Rahul Gandhi, he said, “I want to apologise as some people in last few months for their vested interests have run a disinformation campaign against ‘chowkidars’. It is unfortunate that language of these people has hurt you.”
At the same time, he said maximum languages across the world have understood the word “chowkidar”. It seems as if they all have accepted it in their vocabulary, he maintained. The Prime Minister said, “Today chowkidar has become a good substitute of “deskh bhakti and respect”.
Hitting out at the Congress while answering a question on the Pulwama terror attack in Kashmir, Modi said armed forces bombed Pakistan but “people are feeling hurt.” He said in Pakistan’s television and Parliament was echoing and reflecting Indian Opposition leaders’ views (aired by them) in the post-Indian Air Force strike across the borders. “This is strange… vaar Pakistan par aur bimaar Hindustan” (Pakistan is hit and hurt but Indians are turning sick),” he said adding “country will not forget and forgive these people”.
Congress and other Opposition parties had questioned the effectiveness of IAF airstrike in Balakot, Pakistan, and sought the Modi Government to give evidence of real damage. Islamabad had said that barring a few trees no damage was caused by the Indian strike.
Modi said all Indians should be proud of their armed forces who have given a fitting reply to Pakistan but Opposition “is supporting tukde-tukde gang”.
Prime Minister who took some questions said make your children doctor or engineers but keep alive chowkidar. “Desh ka chowkidar zinda rehna chahiye”, Modi said rhetorically.
“Main Bhi Chowkidar” slogan is a part of BJP’s campaign strategy which BJP is seeking to intensify as the Congress president has sought to deflate it by saying “chowkidar chor hain” by referring to the controversial Rafale fighter-jet deal with France.
Without naming Rahul and his sister Priyanka, Modi said it is battle between ‘naamdaar versus kaamdaar’ and claimed that he as a ‘chowkidar’ will not rest until he removes poverty and inequality in the country.
Social media is full of funny takes on ‘Main Bhi Chowkidar’ and ‘Chowkidar Chor Hai’ tag lines. In a further intensification of the campaign, Modi would be addressing 500 destinations on March 31 from outside Delhi and reaching out to an estimated 20 lakh people.
