Patna:
There was no intelligence warning for the series of crude bomb alerts that left five dead and at least 80 people injured in Patna today, said Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.
Describing the attacks as a black mark on Bihar's culture of tolerance, he said that police officers and senior bureaucrats have told him that appropriate security arrangements were made for the rally held in the city today by Narendra Modi, the BJP's prime ministerial candidate. (
Highlights of Nitish Kumar's press conference)
Seven blasts took place - one at the train station and six at Gandhi Maidan, the large park where thousands had gathered to hear Mr Modi, over whom Mr Kumar ended his party's 17-year alliance with the BJP in August.
The Chief Minister said the blasts are "a collective lesson for political parties in Bihar, whose differences have never escalated into this sort of extreme confrontation."
Mr Kumar did not mention Mr Modi but acknowledged that the timing of the blasts are a matter of deep concern and cannot be overlooked.
After the blasts, Mr Modi's rally was held as scheduled. The Chief Minister cancelled plans to leave town for Mr Modi's rally, designed as a show of strength by the BJP.
Mr Kumar had attributed his split from the BJP to its determination to pick Mr Modi to lead its election campaign. He alleged that Mr Modi is a divisive leader who does not have the confidence of Muslims after the Gujarat riots of 2002.
Today, Mr Kumar said senior BJP leader LK Advani and the Prime Minister had phoned him and that he assured them of a thorough and swift investigation by the Bihar police which will be assisted by experts from the National Investigating Agency.