Former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi. (Press Trust of India photo)
BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi today flayed RJD president Lalu Prasad for "hurting the sentiments of lakhs of people rearing cows" by justifying eating of beef and asked him to apologise for taking refuge behind the "shaitan" (devil) in him for making the controversial remarks.
"Prasad not only justified his 'Hindus too eat beef' remark but in the process also hurt the sentiments of lakhs of people who rear cows. He had the temerity to defend himself by claiming that 'shaitan' (devil) in him came to his mouth to make the said controversial remark.
"He (Prasad) should apologise for both remarks," Mr Modi said in a statement.
Stating that the RJD chief has a streak of 'shaitan' in him who makes him behave in an unacceptable manner, he recalled that Prasad had threatened to beat up some officials with slippers at Hajipur during the last general election.
Mounting an attack on Chief Minister Nitish Kumar vis-a-vis the RJD leader for the 'shaitan' plea, Mr Modi asked whether he could guarantee that the devil in his alliance partner will not come to his (Kumar's) lip in future to enable him to make controversial statements.
He attacked RJD and Congress for not releasing their manifestos with only four days remaining for the polling to the first phase of assembly polls in Bihar.
He asked Mr Prasad whether he would make commitment on regressive agendas like lathi rallies, lantern, caste massacre, charwaha and pahalwan schools if his alliance comes to power.
Mr Modi also had a dig at Mr Prasad for his sons owning bike worth Rs 20 lakh and BMW car worth Rs 40 lakh and said by helping his family members become rich, he had shut the door of development for poor people and their children who cannot afford ride anything more than buffalo carts and tamtams (horse cart).