The top BJP leadership has given a dressing down to its Delhi unit and the message is loud and clear - stand firmly behind the state leadership or face music.
Addressing the Delhi BJP leaders on the concluding day of the state executive meeting, Union home minister and senior BJP leader Rajnath Singh warned against any factionalism in the party and work together for the 2019 General Elections.
In a reference to the incumbent Delhi BJP president Manoj Tiwari, Singh asked party leaders and office-bearers to brush aside their differences and personal ego.
"All wary factions in the state unit must come together to put up a united front in the coming elections. In the fight between Ram and Ravana, one must stand with Ram," a BJP leader quoted Singh as saying.
Sources said this came as a strong message to the rival camp in Delhi BJP, which has been opposing the current leadership for the last several months.
Tiwari's style of functioning as well as decision-making has been questioned by some leaders on several occasions. Tiwari's leadership came under question after party's loss in Bawana by-elections last year.
In recent times, some party office-bearers and senior leaders questioned his handling of issues like sealing.
Singh clearly told party members that the high command has made a wise decision to appoint Tiwari as Delhi BJP president and lauded him for party's historic win in MCD polls.
According to a party insider, the home minister pointed out that personal ego and disconnect from workers were the main reasons behind party's drubbing in assembly elections that has kept BJP away from power for the last 20 years.
"None of our senior leaders, who have held high position, has allowed their personal ego to affect their working and the party at large," he said.
A senior party leader said that Singh also expressed displeasure at the working style of state unit leaders who, instead of working on ground, spent more time lobbying behind the central leaders.
He reportedly said that Delhi BJP workers must not follow culture of 'ji hazoori' to the central leadership.
"As soon as a worker gets an important post his or her body language changes and he or she gets disconnected from workers. The post given to leaders should not change their basic quality or disconnect one from people," he added.