Pains me to see ego clashes in BJP: Gadkari

UTTAN: Making a veiled reference to internal bickerings in his party, BJP president Nitin Gadkari on Saturday said he is pained when some senior party leaders clash.

"It pains me the most when I see egos of two big people clashing. I try to mediate," Gadkari told a two day convention of chief ministers of BJP-ruled states on "good governance".

Gadkari, who was appointed as the new chief of BJP in December last year at the height of infighting in the party, said "We all should work in team spirit, under leadership of our chief ministers and deputy CMs."

Gadkari said Nationalism is BJP's inspiration and it defines its political character.

"Important people who are giving direction to the party, have gathered here," Gadkari said, addressing the around 100 members of the audience, which also included 65 ministers and ministers of states from BJP-ruled states and also over two dozen party functionaries.

Terming BJP as a party with a difference, Gadkari said "in all areas where we have worked, we have proved that we are a party with a difference and it is a matter of pride for us."

The BJP rules Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Karnataka on its own. It is part of the ruling alliance in Bihar, Punjab and Jharkhand.

Chief Ministers Narendra Modi(Gujarat), B S Yeddyurappa(Karnataka) Shivraj Singh Chauhan(MP), P S Dhumal(HP), Ramesh Pokhriyal(Uttrakhand) and Bihar Dy CM Sushil Modi are among others who are taking part. Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh could not make it as his father passed away yesterday.