Sink differences, Shah tells Himachal BJP leaders

BJP national president Amit Shah on Friday asked the party leaders of Himachal Pradesh to sink their differences and work as a team in Himachal Pradesh.

"The party could never be individual centric. The only face in your mind should be that of 'Mother India'. Bury the hatchet and work as a team to regain power in the next assembly elections," Shah said while addressing the concluding function of a two-day state BJP executive meeting here.

Shah asked the BJP cadre to strengthen the party to such an extent that next time when the BJP formed government in the state it stayed for long time in power like in some other states.

"The 10-worker Jana Sangh of 1950 is now 10-crore-member BJP, the largest in the world."

"Our ideology was first mocked by opponents. When it spread they opposed it, we were touted as communal, still we kept going," the BJP chief.

Claiming that the party's nationwide membership drive was a success, Shah said it was an initial step to identify the well-wishers of the party and its policies.

Shah criticized the Congress for its opposition to the Land Acquisition Bill.

"The Congress is opposing the reform bill against the interest of farmers. It's a double standard," he said.

Union minister for health and family welfare J.P. Nadda, who is from Himachal Pradesh, also attended the meeting.