I'm a chowkidar from birth: Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant

The Shiv Sena's Mumbai South Lok Sabha MP Arvind Sawant Saturday hopped onto ally BJP's 'chowkidar' campaign by claiming his party since inception had the "essence" of the watchman, that of being vigilant and providing security.

"Everyone who is alert and provides security is a chowkidar, including Shiv Sainiks. I am a chaukidar from birth and have been supporting the campaign since the two parties have been in alliance," Sawant said at the state BJP office here.

Ironically, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, at a rally in Solapur on December 25, had mounted a veiled attack on the BJP by repeating the Congress' "chowkidar chor hai" jibe.

Thackeray, narrating an incident, said, "In one of the state tours, a farmer showed me a pest-infested lime tree. The lime tree is actually used to make pesticides but this one was itself hit by pests. The farmer told me it was the first time he had ever seen a lime tree getting attacked by pests. I told him times had changed. Nowadays, those providing security themselves have become thieves."

Meanwhile, BJP general secretary Sanjay Upadhyay, who was also present at Saturday's briefing, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in a program through video conferencing on Sunday.

He said Modi will have a live chat with people, including chowkidars, at 54 places across the state, including Bandra in the metropolis.

The PM would also answer queries of people at the Uttar Bharatiya Sangh in Bandra.

"The program will be attended by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Mumbai BJP chief Ashish Shelar. Besides this, the campaign of Main Bhi Chowkidar will be held in all six constituencies of Mumbai," he said.