New Delhi, Aug 23 (IANS): Following in the footsteps of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP's Delhi unit Saturday directed its councillors to not appoint their relatives as personal staff, a statement said.

Party president Satish Upadhyay, in a letter written to all councillors, said: "It has been observed that the relatives of public representatives of the municipal corporations are seen with their relatives (hired as personal staff)."

"In view of the directions of the prime minister, public representatives should neither appoint their relatives as private secretaries or assistants nor take their help in work related to the government as it creates hindrances in government functioning."

Upadhyay said it was important to "maintain dignity and secrecy" of government work in order to build a strong country.

Within weeks of taking oath as prime minister, Modi had asked the new ministers to not hire their relatives as personal staff.