Take Care Of Bihar, Quit Worrying About Country: BJP's Dig At Nitish Kumar

The BJP on Sunday attacked Chief Minister Nitish Kumar over recent incidents of crime in Bihar, saying he is dreaming of becoming prime minister of the country while he is not able to handle the law and order situation in his own state.

Taking note of Mr Kumar recently visiting the national capital to pay tributes to late Atal Bihari Vajpayee at his memorial, senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad also wondered if it was an "honest" expression of his love for the former prime minister or he wanted to show "something" to his allies.

"What has happened to you Nitish babu? Few days ago, a police officer was murdered in Bihar. Then, a journalist was killed. A news report came today that a sand mafia attacked policemen in Gaya. Nitish babu you are not able to handle Bihar. Take care of Bihar and quit worrying about the country," Mr Prasad told reporters here.

The country is safe in the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the former Union minister added.

"There is a rule of terror in Bihar. People are living in fear because the sand mafia and criminals have the blessing of influential people linked to those (allies) with whom you (Nitish Kumar) have formed government in the state," Mr Prasad charged in a reference to JD(U) ally RJD. 

On Mr Kumar paying tributes to Vajpayee at his memorial in Delhi on August 6, he said it's good that he visited his 'samadhi sthal' in the national capital.

"We both respect Atal ji...But why are you remembering Atal ji so much," he asked, adding "Whether it's your honest 'Atal prem' (love for late PM) or you are showing something to your allies."

"You (Nitish) continue to respect Atal ji. Entire country respects him. But I will make only one request to you not to play politics in his name. This is my humble suggestion to you," the BJP leader added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)