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PM Modi says nationalism is identity of BJP, Congress calls it act of political deception

PM Modi harped on the message of nationalism while addressing core group of BJP state units. Congress on the other hand criticised the speech and said that PM is shifting the goalpost.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the concluding session of party's core committee meeting of all state units in New Delhi on Tuesday
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 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asserted that nationalism is the identity of BJP.

Addressing core groups of state BJP units, 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.

Congress today launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his remarks on nationalism at a BJP state core groups' meeting, saying he has shifted the goal post as he was elected not because of nationalism but for the promises made to people that he never fulfilled. The party also accused BJP of making no sacrifice for the country and said it "can never be trusted as a propogator or champion of nationalism".
Liberal traditions are under serious assault and mockery of law is rampant under the Modi dispensation, it alleged.

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.

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.
 

Congress criticises Modi

"Narendra Modi's statement at the BJP core groups' meeting is one more act of political deception by a PM whose promise of 'acche din' and characteristic 'jumla style' (gimmickery) stands exposed before the nation. "We want to remind Modiji that it was not nationalism that brought you to power. It was development, jobs, growth, good governance, promise of alleviating poor from poverty, eradication of inflation and bringing 'acche din' for all. The PM has conveniently forgetten these but people of India can see through his statement," Randeep Surjewala, AICC incharge of communication department, said.

He said those who had no sacrifice, participation and intent in creating the Indian nation "can never be trusted as propogators or champions of nationalism. The Modi establishment has converted India into a nation-state where liberal traditions are under serious assault and mockery of law is rampant". Surjewala said after two years of Modi coming to power, inflation remains high, internal security compromised, foreign affairs directionless, unemployment rising manifold, economic growth stagnant and 15 lakhs in every account a "forgotten jumla".

"The Prime Minister is shifting the goal post. People of India will hold him accountable not just for his 'pseudo nationalism' but fake and unfulfilled promises," he said.
Addressing core groups of state BJP units, Modi asserted that nationalism is the identity of BJP.

He 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 and played an important role in spreading the spirit of national unity, integrity and harmony at a time when forces against them are at work. 

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