PM Modi apologises for Congress party's 'chowkidar chor hai' slogan, says it's harmful for country

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday addressed around 25 lakh watchmen via audio conference as part of his new campaign 'Main Bhi Chowkidar' in the run-up to the Lok Sabha campaign. While interacting with them, he slammed the Congress and other opposition parties for 'chowkidar chor hai' slogan and said that it is harmful to the country. "I apologise to all chowkidars (watchmen) that some people, for their own interests, have been abusing chowkidars and saying they are chor (thief), raising questions about the dedication of chowkidars of the nation," said PM Modi. 

In a direct attack to Congress president Rahul Gandhi, PM Modi said that the opposition has not guts to name him. “Some people abusing 'chowkidar', bringing every watchman under cloud. They lacked guts to name me,” he said.

#WATCH PM Modi's audio interaction with security guards across the country https://t.co/5G1A99O4N6

— ANI (@ANI) March 20, 2019

Intensifying his attack on the Congress, PM Modi said that people across the country taking a pledge to become watchmen and 'chowkidar' has become synonymous with patriotism and honesty.

Earlier, PM Modi urged his supporters to take the 'main bhi chowkidar' (I too am watchman) pledge and said he was not alone in the fight against graft and social evils.

"Your Chowkidar is standing firm & 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. Today, every Indian is saying-#MainBhiChowkidar," the prime minister wrote on Twitter.

Soon after, Gandhi mocked him and tweeted, "Defensive tweet Mr Modi! You feeling a little guilty today" while a tagging a picture of Modi along with businessmen such as Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi, Anil Ambani and Gautam Adani.

The prime minister is also scheduled to interact with people, who have pledged their support to the 'Main bhi chowkidar' (I also am a watchman) campaign, from 500 places in the country on March 31.

Here are the highlights: