Modi launches 'Main Bhi Chowkidar' campaign

Gearing up for the coming Lok Sabha polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched the 'Main Bhi Chowkidar" campaign, calling everyone who were fighting corruption, social evils and working hard for the progress of India, as watchmen.

"Your Chowkidar is standing firm and serving the nation. But, I am not alone. Everyone who is fighting corruption, dirt, social evils is a Chowkidar. Everyone working hard for the progress of India is a Chowkidar," Modi said in a series of tweets.

"Today, every Indian is saying. Main Bhi Chowkidar," he added.

With the tweet, the Prime Minister also shared a 3.45-minute video titled "Take The Pledge", urging people to join Modi on March 31 at 6 p.m. for a video programme titled 'Main Bhi Chowkidar".

In the video, Modi called himself a watchman and said that he was not alone, in a counter to Congress President Rahul Gandhi's "chowkidar chor hai" jibe.

Bharatiya Janata Party sources said the campaign was launched as part of its strategy to turn the tables against Gandhi's jibe as it did in 2014 by aggressively countering former Union Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar's "chaiwalla" jibe.

Following Modi's tweet, several BJP leaders also used the #MainBhiChowkidar hashtag and tweeted.

"I am proud to join #MainBhiChowkidar movement. As a citizen who loves India, I shall do my best to defeat corruption, dirt, poverty and terrorism and help create a New India which is strong, secure and prosperous," Union Minister Piyush Goyal said.

R.K. Singh, Minister of State (IC) for Power and Renewable Energy said anyone who took a stand and raised their voice was a Chowkidar.

"In our fight against corruption, social injustice of any manner and on any person; anyone who takes a stand and raises their voice is a Chowkidar. I'm proud to play my part for a corruption-free and Clean India. Let's all raise our voices and take the pledge. #MainBhiChowkidar," he said.

BJP MP Anil Shirole retweeted Modi's tweet and called himself a watchman.

"Yes I am proud to be a Chowkidar... Yes #MainBhiChowkidar, sevak of the nation and it's people..working hard to protect the citizens from the evils of corruption, poverty, sickness, illiteracy, uncleanliness and terrorism," he said.

--IANS

nks/ksk