Chaiwala my PM… has become the latest campaign theme of the Bharatiya Janata Party in the State for the Lok Sabha elections as the party is keen on politically cashing in on the “tea vendor” jibe at its prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi by Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar.
Mr. Aiyar’s remark that “there is no way that Modi can become prime minister, but the Congress can make arrangements for him to sell tea at the party conclave” has set the political tone for the BJP’s offensive against the alleged corruption in the United Progressive Alliance government at the Centre with the party leaders coming out with a quick retort: “those who sell tea are much better than those who sell the country itself”.
Based on this theme, the BJP has been setting up temporary tea stalls that operate for about two hours in crowded areas in different parts of the State, including Bangalore.
Such stalls will have the catch-line “Chaiwala my PM — My idea of India” in the backdrop.
BJP members wearing T-shirts with Mr. Modi’s pictures would distribute tea free to visitors at the stalls and also to passersby during the campaign. Not only tea, they will also distribute two sets of pamphlets — containing Mr. Modi’s achievements and the UPA government’s failures.
According to BJP State media co-ordinator S. Prakash, the party has set a target of setting up 1,000 such temporary stalls a week in the State. The campaign has gained momentum with the party setting up temporary tea stalls in 300 places, including villages, last week.
In addition, the party has launched another programme, “Nimma dhwani and namma pranalike” (your voice and our manifesto) under which suggestions will be invited from the general public on different subjects to be included in the manifesto for the Lok Sabha elections.
