New Delhi: PM Narendra Modi’s statement at a public rally in Telangana, declaring that 140 crore Indians are his family, triggered a widespread ‘Modi Ka Parivar’ (Modi’s Family) campaign led by top BJP leaders. This campaign was seen as a robust response to Lalu Prasad’s comment during an RJD rally in Patna, where he remarked that Modi has no family.
Home minister Amit Shah, defence minister Rajnath Singh, BJP president JP Nadda, and other leaders added ‘Modi Ka Parivar’ to their names on social media profiles, countering the opposition’s comments.
During an INDIA bloc rally, Lalu Prasad made a sarcastic remark about Modi’s campaign against nepotism, stating, “He has no family,” in the presence of senior Congress and Left leaders.
INDI Alliance- Families First.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 4, 2024
Modi- Nation First! pic.twitter.com/cbq2zRpqvm
In response, the BJP launched a show of solidarity for its top leader ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, reminiscent of their 2019 campaign where they added ‘Main Bhi Chowkidar‘ (I am also a watchman) to their names, countering Congress leader Manishankar Aiyer’s “Chowkidar Chor Hai” (Watchman is a thief) remark, as well as responding to Aiyer’s previous “chaiwala” (tea-seller) comment with the “chai par charcha” (discussion over tea) initiative.
The campaigns highlighting the perceived image of Prime Minister Modi as an honest and anti-corruption figure proved to be highly successful. Despite Congress’s attempts to target him over alleged corruption in the Rafale fighter aircraft deal, the BJP, under Modi, won more seats in the 2019 elections than in 2014.
BJP chief ministers and other senior leaders, along with numerous functionaries, joined the “Modi Ka Parivar” campaign. BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi, at a press conference, condemned the personal attacks against PM Modi by opposition parties, particularly Lalu Prasad’s recent remarks in Patna. Trivedi reminded Lalu that for PM Modi, the entire country is his family, emphasizing the people’s response to the opposition’s “political arrogance.”
He highlighted Modi’s dedication to working for society and India’s highest glory, with the PM not taking a single day off in the last 10 years.
Trivedi questioned Lalu Yadav’s understanding of Hindu religion, emphasizing the guru-shishya tradition in India, not a father-son tradition.
PM Modi reiterated at a rally in Telangana that the entire country, with its 140 crore people, is his family.