Logo for the campaign

Main Bhi Chowkidar (Hindi: मैं भी चौकीदार, 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. Millions of BJP members changed their DPs (display pictures) and profiles to show their solidarity with Modi.

History

On 14 March 2019, Modi responded to the jibe of Chowkidar Chor Hai coined by Rahul Gandhi 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 NDA 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]

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal stated that Modi wants the entire country to become chowkidar, people who want their children to become watchmen should vote for Modi while those looking for good education for the children to become doctor, engineer or lawyer should vote for him.[11]

Main Bhi Chowkidar is considered more impactful than Chowkidar Chor Hai campaign.[12][13][14]

For 2020 Bihar Elections, Nitish Kumar modelled his campaign main bhi Nitish Kumar( I too am Nitish Kumar) after it.[15]

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.
  10. ↑ "Lok Sabha elections 2019 | 'If you want your child to become chowkidar, vote for Narendra Modi': Arvind Kejriwal". Hindustan Times. 20 March 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  11. ↑ "Main Bhi Chowkidar campaign wins Effie Silver 2020". Outlook India. 29 January 2020. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  12. ↑ "'Main bhi Chowkidar' was way ahead of "Chowkidar Chor Hai' campaign online". Tribuneindia News Service. 29 May 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  13. ↑ Bhattacharya, Ananya (9 April 2019). "Modi's #MainBhiChowkidar versus Gandhi's #ChowkidarChorHai—who won?". Quartz India. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  14. ↑ Ranjan, Abhinav (3 August 2020). "'Main bhi Nitish Kumar': JD(U) shapes campaign around Bihar CM ahead of Assembly elections". The Financial Express. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
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