PM Modi to call on 2.5 million people who joined ‘chowkidaar’ pledge

The chowkidars he will speak to are people who joined the campaign. Modi has also changed his Twitter display name to Chowkidar Narendra Modi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address 2.5 million chowkidars (watchmen) through a conference call on Wednesday, the BJP said Tuesday. Late last week, Modi launched a campaign on Twitter asking people to take the “Main bhi chowkidar” pledge, to support him in the fight against graft and social evils. The chowkidars he will speak to are people who joined the campaign. Modi has also changed his Twitter display name to Chowkidar Narendra Modi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaks at an event in New Delhi. (AP File Photo)

Modi used the chowkidar term ahead of the 2014 general election when he likened himself to a watchman protecting the country’s interest, but in recent months the term has been borrowed by the Congress for its “Chowkidar chor hai” (the watchman is a thief) campaign targeting Modi over allegations of corruption in the Rafale jet deal.

Analysts say Modi’s counter campaign as an effort to take the fizz out of the Congress’ slogan.

“Prime Minister’s audio bridge with chowkidars is a part of a series of initiatives under the #MainBhiChowkidaar outreach movement through which the Modi will interact with his fellow countrymen in the lead-up to the elections,” BJP’s national spokesman Anil Baluni said.

Meanwhile, Congress president Rahul Gandhi continued to attack Modi using the term. In a rally in Arunachal Pradesh, he said the Rafale deal “exposed” the “chowkidar” himself.