Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of bringing ignominy to all chowkidars (watchmen) in the country. Addressing campaign rallies for the November 28 Assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh, Gandhi said, "Wherever you go, as you pronounce the word 'chowkidar' comes a reply 'chor hai'.

I want to apologise to the chowkidars of the country. It is not your mistake, you all are not thieves, you all are honest. Only one person has brought ignominy to you. The country's prime minister has defamed all its chowkidars," he said.