Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday expressed confidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party would win the general election and said that ‘chowkidar’ (watchman) is not an identity recognised by uniforms, but it is the spirit behind the word.
Amid shouting of slogans ‘Main bhi Chowkidar’ at Talkatora Stadium where Modi interacted with people throughout the country via video conferencing, Modi said watchman is not an identity recognised by a uniform but ‘watchman’ is a spirit.
In 2014, when the BJP gave him the responsibility to visit every corner of the nation, “I told the people that the responsibility of Delhi means that you are trusting a watchman,” he said.
“Once again, the people of the country are going to give us the opportunity to serve the country,” Modi said.
“Today people are liking the chowkidar. The teacher is a big caretaker (watchman). He protects the next generation. I salute such chowkidar,” Modi said.
“If a teacher performs his duty, then the future of the student is secured. If a policeman performs his duty, the problems are resolved. And in that sense, public participation is the main reason of the success of my country,” Modi said.
“I had said my effort would be not to allow the public money to be wasted. As a watchman, I will discharge my responsibility,” the prime minister said.
Modi said that ever since he has been entrusted with the responsibility to lead the nation, he has tried his best to protect the nation’s wealth from the corrupt.
“We are all chowkidars, committed to a strong and prosperous India”, Modi said.
He said people have to be chowkidars to build a strong government and work in the spirit of a watchman to take the country forward.
Modi responded to various questions posed to him by people as well as supporters who attended the video-conferencing.
He also said he spent five years in fulfilling the country’s requirements and his next five years will be focused on addressing its aspirations.
The prime minister urged the youth be vigilant about the opposition’s “false promises” and analyse their track record.
He also hinted that if he gets re-elected as prime minister, his government would act tough against corruption.
“In the last five years, I put all my strength to do what was lacking, to fulfil the necessities from toilets, electricity, roads, trains, to buses. Now in the next five years, our focus would be on to build a strong structure.
“In the first five years, the government tried to fulfil the basic requirements and the next five years will be to address the ambitions and aspirations of the country,” he said.
The prime minister said in the last five years, he successfully dragged people who looted the country through corruption means to jail.