PM Modi responds to Rahul Gandhi's 'chowkidar chor hai' jibe in Himachal rally

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said those who were in the habit of looting money were now afraid of the country's 'chowkidar'.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi. PTI Photo

DHARAMSHALA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said those who were in the habit of looting money were now afraid of the country's 'chowkidar'. Apparently countering Congress President Rahul Gandhi's jibe that the "watchman" had himself turned into a "thief", Modi said, "Chowkidar choro ko chhorne ko tayar nahi (The watchman is not ready to let scamsters go)." Those who were in the habit of looting, they are now feeling afraid of the country's 'chowkidar' and are now abusing him," Modi said, without naming the Opposition Congress. Modi was addressing a rally here to celebrate one year of the Jai Ram Thakur-led BJP government in Himachal Pradesh. In his nearly one hour-long address to the public here, marking the first anniversary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rule in the state, he said his government at the Centre has given Rs 12,000 crore to soldiers in four instalments under the One Rank, One Pension scheme. "For the last 40 years, this country's soldier was demanding the One Rank, One Pension scheme. The then government fooled our soldiers and kept only Rs 500 crore for it. When we came to power, I called for the file and officers were left stunned." "We realised there was Rs 12,000 crore required for it. It's difficult for the government to take out Rs 12,000 crore in one go so I called soldiers and asked them to give it in four-five instalments and they agreed. Today I am happy, we gave it in four instalments," he said. Batting for the promotion of tourism and horticulture in the Himalayan state, the Prime Minister, donning a Himachali cap, said: "I called people from Pepsi, Cola, Fanta and other types of aerated drinks and asked them to include five per cent of natural fruit juice in these drinks." "Many companies are coming forward to do so. It is going to generate a good market for our farmers in coming days." Comparing the financial incentives extended by the previous United Progressive Alliance-led Congress government at the Centre with his present government, Modi, in his speech in Hindi, said during the previous government, Himachal Pradesh used to get Rs 21,000 crore. "When the BJP government came to power, I was given a chance to serve you all, and Himachal is being given Rs 71,000 crore. It has only become possible because the government of India believes that each and every penny from this amount will be spent by the Himachal government judiciously for the state's development." The prime minister was welcomed by the chief minister, former chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, Kangra BJP MP Shanta Kumar and Union Health minister Jagat Prakash Nadda at the helipad in Dharamshala. Governor Acharya Devvrat was also present. (With inputs from IANS)