Main Bhi Chowkidar

Main Bhi Chowkidar (Hindi: मैं भी चोकीदार।, transl. "I too am a watchman") is a Hindi slogan used by the Bharatiya Janata Party in its campaign for the 2019 Indian general election. The slogan was coined by the BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi as a counter-slogan against the Indian National Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

Logo for the campaign
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Narendra Modi

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History

On 14 March 2019, Modi responded to the jibe of Chowkidar Chor Hai by launching a campaign with the slogan "Main Bhi Chowkidar" for his supporters, implying that everyone is a fighter against corruption and social evils.[1][2] Modi even changed the name of his official Twitter handle titled 'Narendra Modi' to 'Chowkidar Narendra Modi'.[3] The slogan came under considerable ridicule from opposition, who labeled it as a "new drama".[4][5]

In a coordinated campaign, party leaders of the BJP, including party president Amit Shah, Chief ministers and other Union Ministers changed their Twitter profile names by adding a prefix "Chowkidar".[6] Eventually, lacs of BJP supporters also changed their names accordingly.[7] Modi addressed a large group of watchmen on audio link as part of the campaign.[8]

Congress party criticized BJP's election slogan with Rahul Gandhi stating that the truth cannot change since Chowkidar Chor Hai. The chief spokesperson of Congress, Randeep Surjewala, responded to Modi's slogan and accused Modi of being the "only chowkidar who is a thief".[9] Congress social media team responded with the slogan "Main Bhi Berozgar" (I too am jobless) to highlight the problem of unemployment under the Modi government and to counter Main Bhi Chowkidar campaign.[10]

See also

References
  1. "Narendra Modi urges supporters to take 'Main Bhi Chowkidar' pledge". telegraphindia.com. 16 March 2019. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
  2. "India's watchmen question whether Modi embrace will improve their lot". Reuters. 23 March 2019. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
  3. "'Chowkidar Narendra Modi': PM changes Twitter handle name to counter Rahul Gandhi's chor jibe". The Economic Times. 17 March 2019. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
  4. "Mayawati slams Congress, BJP; ridicules PM Modi's 'Mai Bhi Chowkidar' campaign". The Economic Times. 5 April 2019. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  5. "Mayawati slams Congress, BJP; ridicules PM Modi's 'Mai Bhi Chowkidar' campaign". The Economic Times. 5 April 2019. Retrieved 30 April 2019.
  6. "मोदी 'चौकीदार' तो 'चौकीदार का मालिक' कौन" (in Hindi). 19 March 2019. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  7. "In A New Gimmick, PM Changes Twitter Profile Name To 'Chowkidar Narendra Modi'". 17 March 2019. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  8. "To counter 'chowkidar chor hai' jibe, PM launches 'Main Bhi Chowkidar' campaign". Rediff. 16 March 2019. Retrieved 18 March 2019.
  9. "Youth Cong's 'Main Bhi Berozgar' campaign to counter BJP's 'Main Bhi Chowkidar' - Times of India". The Times of India. 30 March 2019. Retrieved 31 March 2019.
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