Amit Shah warned the leaders of the party's state unit

BJP national president Amit Shah on Friday warned the leaders of the party's state unit against creating factions and asked them to work hard together to strengthen the organisation in Telangana.  He said faction fighting has been obstructing the party's growth in Telangana and the leadership will no longer tolerate this. He also blamed it for the party's failure in making inroads into other parts of Telangana, except Hyderabad.

Mr Shah is also learnt to have taken to task some city MLAs and a few state leaders for encouraging factions in party. Goshamahal MLA Raja Singh had earlier complained to Mr Shah about factions in the party. He had been staying away from party activities to protest against groupism. Mr Shah held a separate meeting with Mr Singh and discussed his concerns. He assured Mr Singh that the party leadership would not tolerate groupism and asked him to work with all leaders to strengthen the BJP.

Mr Shah also met separately Mr D. Arvind Kumar, son of TRS MP D. Srinivas, who is planning to contest from Nizamabad Lok Sabha seat against Ms K. Kavita, the local MP and daughter of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao.  He asked Mr Arvind to make all efforts to win Nizamabad Lok Sabha seat and offered all necessary help from the party high command.

Mr Shah said the BJP may have only five MLAs and one MP in Telangana, but that does not mean that they could create factions and hamper the party's growth in the state. Party sources said Mr Shah's one-day trip boosted the morale of BJP leaders and cadre in Telangana ahead of 2019 elections. They said Mr Shah gave the leaders clear directions on how to take the party forward and strengthen its base in all 119 assembly and 17 Lok Sabha seats.