Nationalism is BJP's identity, our sole aim is nation-building: PM Modi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asserted that nationalism is the identity of BJP.

Addressing core groups of state BJP units, PM Modi said the week-long 'tiranga yatra' by Union ministers and party leaders to mark the 70th Independence Day had made a good impact across the country.

He also asserted that the 'yatra' played an important role in spreading the spirit of national unity, integrity and harmony at a time when forces against them are at work, according to Union minister Ananth Kumar.

The saffron party has harped on nationalism against the backdrop of ongoing Kashmir unrest, the row over an Amnesty event in Bengaluru in which a case of sedition was registered over alleged raising of 'pro-azadi' slogans by some Kashmiris and the JNU controversy.

Though the prime minister did not make any direct mention of these issues, he noted that nationalism has been the party's identity, sources said.

"We are continuously working for development but there are some elements who do not like it. They are trying to divert our and people's attention. We will have to inform the common man that our sole aim is nation building," a BJP statement later quoted him as saying.

PM Modi also asked party leaders to make conscious efforts to identify with and work for all sections of the society and asserted that his government was dedicated to the welfare of the poor.

Noting that the birth centenary year of Deendayal Upadhyay, a party ideologue, starts from September 25, he said his government would continue to come out with pro-poor schemes to realise his motto of 'antyodaya' (uplift of the last man).

The sources said Modi also asked BJP leaders to work constructively, noting that the way they worked when the party was in the opposition would have to change when it is in power.

Earlier, party chief Amit Shah stressed on the need of discipline and unity in his speech and said it has to expand geographically and across different sections of society.