The BJP's "Main Bhi Chowkidar" campaign became Twitter's top worldwide trend today, hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched it this morning. #MainBhiChowkidaar trended on Twitter after the Prime Minister released a video on social media, saying "Your Chowkidar is standing firm and serving the nation". The video shared by PM Modi, featuring a song with lyrics showcasing the Modi government's initiatives, racked up more than 50,000 likes and 19,000 retweets on the micro-blogging website. "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," PM Modi said in the tweet.
The video ends with the appeal to people to join PM Modi's "Main Bhi Chowkidar" programme on March 31.
Your Chowkidar is standing firm & serving the nation.
- Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 16, 2019
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.
Today, every Indian is saying-#MainBhiChowkidar
The campaign comes after Congress President Rahul Gandhi raised his pitch against the Modi government with frequent attacks and criticism over the Rafale deal, through the slogan "Chowkidar Chor Hai (watchman is a thief)".
Scores of senior BJP leaders took to Twitter to endorse the campaign with vigour by posting the video and a message saying, "I am proud to join #MainBhiChowkidar movement. As a citizen who loves India, I shall do my best to defeat corruption, dirt, poverty & terrorism and help create a New India which is strong, secure & prosperous."
I am proud to join #MainBhiChowkidar movement. As a citizen who loves India, I shall do my best to defeat corruption, dirt, poverty & terrorism and help create a New India which is strong, secure & prosperous.
- Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) March 16, 2019
I am proud to join #MainBhiChowkidar movement. As a citizen who loves India, I shall do my best to defeat corruption, dirt, poverty & terrorism and help create a New India which is strong, secure & prosperous.
- Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) March 16, 2019
I am proud to join #MainBhiChowkidar movement. As a citizen who loves India, I shall do my best to defeat corruption, dirt, poverty & terrorism and help create a New India which is strong, secure & prosperous.
- B.S. Yeddyurappa (@BSYBJP) March 16, 2019
Every Indian working with honesty, sincerity and commitment is like a Chowkidar against corrupt. They all are with @narendramodi.
- Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) March 16, 2019
So say it loud that #MainBhiChowkidar pic.twitter.com/ObmzMExbOR
I am proud to join #MainBhiChowkidar movement. As a citizen who loves India, I shall do my best to defeat corruption, dirt, poverty & terrorism and help create a New India which is strong, secure & prosperous.
- Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) March 16, 2019
Union Minister Smriti Irani also tweeted a rhyme in Hindi and hit out at the opposition, saying "They'll point fingers at you, keep repeating lies. But we know what the truth is, how will they instigate us?"
The opposition reacted equally strongly and attempted to break the trend by hitting out at the BJP campaign with its own hashtag.
The Congress's official Twitter handle tweeted with the hashtags #IndiaBewakoofNahiHai (India isn't stupid) and #SuitBootKaChowkidaar (Chowkidar only for businessmen) saying "Everybody knows India is not stupid, you are the one & only Chowkidar only for businessmen".
Important message to Modi: #IndiaBewakoofNahiHai sabko pata hai you are the one & only #SuitBootKaChowkidaarhttps://t.co/LcyqaQqpKC pic.twitter.com/uXInzqdVvn
- Congress (@INCIndia) March 16, 2019
Congress President Rahul Gandhi also tweeted, saying "Defensive tweet Mr Modi! You feeling a little guilty today?" and shared an image of the Prime Minister with Anil Ambani, Nirav Modi, Vijay Mallya and others.
Defensive tweet Mr Modi!
- Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) March 16, 2019
You feeling a little guilty today? pic.twitter.com/ztVGRlc599
Senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah also hit out at PM Modi and the BJP in a tweet which said, "This disease is spreading to all the small thieves of our country who are trending #MainBhiChowkidar," adding for good measure, "Wise people say, 'The big thieves hang the little ones.'"
Thief impersonating as Policeman is the greatest tragedy of our times & an insult to the real ones.
- Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) March 16, 2019
This disease is spreading to all the small thieves of our country who are trending #MainBhiChowkidar
Wise people say,
'The big thieves hang the little ones.'#ChorHiChowkidar
Congress's social media in-charge Divya Spandana also reacted to the BJP campaign.
Yes evidently! pic.twitter.com/bxOA0iXe2c
- Divya Spandana/Ramya (@divyaspandana) March 16, 2019
The use of the word "chowkidar" dates back to the poll campaigning ahead of the 2014 general elections when Mr Modi had promised to work as a "chowkidar" to guard people's money and their trust once elected to the top office.
Mr Gandhi has alleged that PM Modi tweaked the Rafale jet contract to unduly benefit industrialist Anil Ambani.
"Five years ago, chowkidar said he wanted to fight corruption. He said he wanted to make it a 'Congress-mukt Bharat'. Today, the slogan of 'Acche Din Aayenge' has changed to 'Chowkidar chor hai'," Mr Gandhi said at a recent rally.
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