PM Modi speaks to BJP chief Amit Shah during a BJP office bearers' meeting held in Bengaluru on April 2. (Agence France-Presse)
On the first day of the BJP's two-day conclave in Bengaluru, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and party chief Amit Shah have sent a strong message to leaders who have been talking out of turn and causing embarrassment to the party, sources told NDTV.
The two have made it clear that action will be taken against leaders who have been making objectionable and irresponsible remarks.
The warning comes days after Union minister Giriraj Singh's racist comment about Congress chief Sonia Gandhi left the BJP red faced.
But the party has been facing an uphill task for long to control leaders who have repeatedly waded into controversies. From Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti to Yogi Adityanath and Sakshi Maharaj - a number of leaders have embarrassed the BJP time and again.
During the winter session of Parliament, the government had to face a massive backlash from the opposition over Ms Jyoti's hate speech, Yogi Adityanath's open assertions on ghar wapasi and Sakshi Maharaj's comments about Nathuram Godse being a "patriot" and Hindus needing to have four children.
In November, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked the party leaders not to cross the "lakshman rekha" at a closed-door meeting.
But as the barrage of comments continued, the party sent a showcause notice to Sakshi Maharaj. Earlier this week, Mr Shah reportedly asked Giriraj Singh to observe "absolute restraint".