Of Chowkidar, chor and all that
The “Chowkidar†taunts and ripostes have elicited some humour in bristling poll campaigns.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s latest anti-corruption vigilance campaign made the word “Chowkidar” a global Twitter trend. Pushed to counter the gathering shouts like “Chowkidar chor hi”, the BJP leader’s team then came up with this “Main Bhi Chowkidar” campaign.
Some thought “the campaign is a brilliant way to take on his main detractor while others fretted that this is a distraction from the real issues surrounding the election. However, Rahul Gandhi’s constant refrain of “Rafale, Rafale” and “Chor, chor” was bound to have a reaction much as Mani Shankar Iyer’s “Chaiwala” jibe became a handle for Modi’s trail-blazing poll campaign in 2014.
The metaphorical shout for guarding against corruption might have been interpreted to be an effective counterpunch, but it is only “fatuousness” says famous PM critic Shashi Tharoor. Delhi CM Kejriwal, who came to power on an anti-corruption plank, believes this may lead to people becoming watchmen rather than aspiring for greater things.
The “Chowkidar” taunts and ripostes have elicited some humour in bristling poll campaigns in which the invective has been far more regularly flung than humour. Priyanka Gandhi, in her second innings as a regular campaign trail politico came up with the thought that chowkidars are hired by the rich to protect their property and belongings while farmers could not afford such a luxury.
What the high decibel “Main Bhi Chowkidar” has done is to draw A-lister politicos into the arguments, which just goes to show that it does take something unusual to wake up otherwise staid election campaigns.
Rahul Gandhi @RahulGandhi
You can keep trying Mr Modi, but the truth cannot be extinguished. Every Indian is saying it. #ChowkidarChorHai P.S: Do force Sushma ji to add "Chowkidar" to her handle. It's looking very bad.
Shashi Tharoor @ShashiTharoor
The sheer fatuousness of the entire #MainBhiChowkidar campaign is unworthy of a serious Prime Minister of a serious country. The sooner those mindlessly-changed @Twitter handles are restored to normal, the better. Meanwhile let's continue to poke fun at him
P. Chidambaram @PChidambaram_IN
Main bhi chowkidhar because the chowkidhar I had appointed is missing. I am told he has gone looking for achhe din.
Mayawati@Mayawati
After BJP launch 'Mai Bhi Chowkidar' campaign, PM Modi & others added the prefix 'Chowkidar' to their Twitter handles. So now Narendra Modi is Chowkidar & no more a 'Chaiwala' which he was at the time of last LS election. What a change India is witnessing under BJP rule. Bravo!
The storyTeller@chemingineer
#Chowkidaar is such a terrible metaphor. The chowkidaars in our building complex inspire zero confidence. They are generally sitting and dozing.
Vijay Inder Singla@VijayIndrSingla
Is a #Chowkidaar ever scared of responsibility and accountability? On the contrary they are known for it! A chor on the other hand avoids all answers! Isn't it?!
Siddharth@Actor_Siddharth
I've spoken out against every major political party when the need arose. But I've only received hate, threats, abuse and bile from one group of supporters. Currently most of them call themselves #CHOWKIDAR. Now I'm reading fake news about myself spread by the #BJP IT cell. Thoo!
Siddaramaiah@siddaramaiah
@INCIndia is the only party which does everything possible for the poor of our country. The current central govt led by self-proclaimed #Chowkidar has not done anything for anyone. #NammaRahulGandhi @INCKarnataka
Abhijit Karande@abhiasks
No any political party can claim that they are #Chowkidar's because we the ppl of India chose 34% criminals & corrupted MP's to represent us in loksabha. So plz stop this drama. And don't insult the profession of #Chowkidars
Ankush @TheAnkush
Dear Common Man, He got arrested only to get Bail. People in India would make it political & BJP will take credit for the arrest and Congresss will blame for getting Bail. Biggest fools is the common man of India. Yours Faithfully Frustrated common man #NiravModi #Chowkidar
Chowkidar Piyush Goyal @PiyushGoyal
As Chowkidars of our nation, we are committed to creating a clean economy by using cashless financial transactions. The menace of corruption and black money has adversely affected us for decades. Time to eliminate these for a better future. #MainBhiChowkidar #ChowkidarPhirSe
Porinju Veliyath@porinju
India has pressed the 'Reset' button in the political economy with historic reforms like GST & IBC etc. Beneficiaries of corruption and loot are alarmed and united against India's best-ever #Chowkidar - know the truth & vote for the Nation.
Santasree Chaudhuri@Iamsantasree
What Chowkidari he is referring to when the looters escaped India with few lakh crores ! #Chowkidaar Chowkidari is a dedicated work .. real Chowkidars are suffering without fair salaries and state benefits !
Chowkidar Kirron Kher @KirronKherBJP
Proud #Chowkidar of a great #nation. The country trusts it's prime #Chowkidar and will vote all #Chowkidars to power once again in 2019. #MainBhiChowkidar
Ashoke Pandit@ashokepandit
Ashoke Pandit Retweeted Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri
It's always fun to see how these jokers fall in a trap laid by the #Chowkidar. They have always made a fool of themselves...
Booby prize
Union Culture Minister and BJP MP Mahesh Sharma referred to Congress president Rahul Gandhi as “Pappu” and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra as “Pappu ki Pappi” during a poll campaign drawing flak from the Opposition party which termed his remarks condemnable. He also wondered “If Mamata Banerjee dances Kathak here, Kumarasawamy, the CM of Karanataka, comes and sings a song here, who is going to listen to them?”
“First Nehru, then (former PM) Rajiv Gandhi, then Sanjay Gandhi, thereafter Rahul and now Priyanka (Gandhi Vadra)...And if there will be another, it will also be a Gandhi. Are they doing some favour to the country?” he also said.
“Being in such a responsible post, Sharma ji has made such a remark against a woman! It is condemnable,” Mr. Gurjar of Congress retorted.