Chandigarh, Aug. 15 -- The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has stepped up efforts to contain growing factionalism in its Punjab unit, with party observer for Punjab and state in-charge for Haryana Satish Poonia set to begin consultations with disgruntled leaders from August 20.

Poonia, a Rajya Sabha member, is expected to meet senior leaders who have publicly criticised the functioning of the state leadership, particularly over allegations of unilateral decision-making, disregard for organisational norms and violations of internal party decorum.

The intervention comes against the backdrop of an unprecedented crisis within the BJP's Punjab unit. Several senior leaders have, for the first time, openly questioned the manner in which organisat...