File picture of Mohan Bhagwat.
In the run up to next month's Bihar elections, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar have been exchanging volleys over financial aid packages to the state.
But the BJP's ideological mentor Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh or RSS doesn't seem to be approving.
In an interview to the Organiser, a publication set up by RSS ideologues, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat has called economic package a "political tool" that leads to "blackmailing".
In August this year Prime Minister Modi had announced a package of Rs 1.25 lakh crore for Bihar, promising a host of schemes that will receive the Centre's funding.
Ten days later Nitish Kumar followed the act by announcing development schemes to be implemented over the next five years that he said would cost the state government Rs. 2.70 lakh crore.
In his interview published on Monday, Mr Bhagwat said, "Unitary states are constituents of the nation, they are not separate. As hands, legs or brain cannot claim that they are independent; similarly states are also integral parts of body politic. Until, this bonding is there, everything will be in line," he said.
"Once special packages become a political tool and all other constituents feel that political blackmailing can take them forward then it leads to unhealthy competition," Mr Bhagwat said.
The BJP has refused to comment on record, but party sources say this can be seen as a snub to the intense politics that has erupted in Bihar over economic packages.
A day after the Bihar package was announced by the Prime Minister, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had said his state deserves the special economic package most in the country.