Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday hit back at Congress president Rahul Gandhi over his allegations that the PM had ceased to be a “ chowkidaar ” (watchman) but had become a “ bhagidaa r,” (co-participant or collaborator), saying he was proud to be a “ bhagidaar ”, but in the struggle and pain of the citizens.
He said that only one who was “zameen se juda hua” (rooted) could understand the pain of the common man and the struggles of poverty.
‘It’s a reward’
“Now I am facing this allegation that I am not a chowkidaar but a bhagidaar . I consider this allegation as a reward,” said Mr. Modi.
Mr. Modi was apparently targeting Mr. Gandhi, who recently during the no-confidence motion debate in the Lok Sabha in the context of a number of issues, including the controversial Rafale deal, had criticised the PM.
Mr. Modi further said he was a bhagidaar of the struggle of the poor and hardworking people, of the suffering of a grieving mother, of the farmers whose crops are damaged by drought or flood, of the passion of the Army jawans who toil in both icy cold terrain and scorching desert, and of every effort that provides job opportunity for the youth.
Mr. Modi was addressing the ‘Transforming Urban Landscape’ event held here to mark the third anniversary of three key government schemes on urban development, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban), the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation of Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and the Smart Cities Mission.
In his counter-attack, Mr. Modi mentioned his background as a tea-seller and said that by dismissing him as a “ chaiwala” , the Opposition had insulted the bhagidaari of the people. “I am a poor mother’s son. Poverty gave me courage and honesty. Poverty taught me how to live. I have experienced the pain and misery of poverty first-hand.”
Mr. Modi also indirectly targeted the previous Akhilesh Yadav government saying that unlike the present BJP government which was busy providing shelter for the poor, the Samajwadi Party leadership had been working on a one-point agenda — of decorating their bungalows.
During the event, Mr. Modi launched 99 development projects on housing, drinking water and basic amenities worth ₹3,887 crore.
