Because I'm doing 'chowkidari' of Indian interests and nationals abroad: Swaraj on adding 'Chowkidar' to Twitter handle

New Delhi, Delhi, India

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Saturday gave a befitting reply to a Twitter user who asked why has she inducted 'Chowkidar' in her official Twitter handle. 

The user tweeted out calling Swaraj "the only one sensible leader in the BJP" who, he thought, would not hop on to the 'Chowkidar' bandwagon on Twitter. 

Swaraj replied saying that she is one of the country's watchdog and that she looks after the security of national interests and the nationals abroad. 

"Because I am doing Chowkidari of Indian interests and Indian nationals abroad," read her tweet. 

Scores of BJP leaders changed their Twitter handle to add 'Chowkidar' after Prime Minister Narendra Modi changed his name on Twitter to 'Chowkidar Narendra Modi'. 

On March 16, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged his supporters to take the 'main bhai chowkidar' (I too am watchman) pledge, saying he is not alone in the fight against graft and social evils.

"Your Chowkidar is standing firm & serving the nation," Modi had tweeted out earlier this month launching -#MainBhiChowkidar campaign.

"But, I am not alone," he said. "Everyone who is fighting corruption, dirt, social evils is a Chowkidar. Everyone working hard for the progress of India is a Chowkidar." 

"Today, every Indian is saying-#MainBhiChowkidar," he added. 

The Prime Minister had first referred to himself as the chowkidar (watchman) of the nation in the run-up to the 2014 general elections. "Na khaoonga, na khaane doonga (I will not be corrupt, I will not let others be corrupt)," he had said then.