NEW DELHI, June 8 -- Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national chief Nitin Nabin has directed the party's Uttarakhand unit to ensure reports of intra-party differences do not overshadow preparations for next year's assembly elections or provide the opposition an opportunity to target the government's performance, people familiar with the matter said.

During his visit to the state last week, Nabin met party leaders and stressed the need to set aside differences and focus on the election campaign. According to a party functionary, he also referred to complaints regarding law and order.

"The party president was emphatic that the state unit should follow the example of other BJP-ruled states that have overcome anti-incumbency and returned to po...