Patna:
On a day BJP's prime ministerial candidate
Narendra Modi visited homes of those killed in the Patna blasts, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, in a clear reference to Mr Modi, said that "no one from outside will develop the state except Biharis."
"This is our Bihar. We are Biharis. No one from outside will emerge to develop the state. You and me will have to take the state to new heights," Mr Kumar said, adding, "People have purchased broom in a large quantity to clean the muck coming from outside as well inside the state."
The Bihar Chief Minister also targeted his former deputy, BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi, saying those who earlier used to praise the development in the state are now finding faults in it. Mr Kumar broke a 17-year-old alliance with the BJP in June after Mr Modi was declared as the party's prime ministerial candidate for the Lok Sabha elections, due by May next year.
Mr Modi held a 'Hunkar Rally' in Patna last Sunday ahead of which seven blasts ripped through the city, killing six people and injuring another 83. Mr Modi re-visited Patna yesterday night and in the morning today went to the homes of four of the victims. He failed to pay a visit to families at Gopalganj and Supual due to bad weather.
Mr Modi's party has slammed the Bihar Chief Minister for not visiting the families of the victims, saying its PM candidate has compensated for the 'callousness'.
"The visit shows the affection of the people towards him (Narendra Modi)," senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said today.
Mr Kumar yesterday accused the BJP of trying to instigate communal tension with its "Santavana Yatra" which is scheduled to end on Tuesday with the ashes of the victims being immersed in the Ganga.
"This is what the BJP wants...to vitiate the atmosphere. But we will not allow our harmony to be undermined," Mr Kumar said.
According to sources, Mr Kumar will continue to attack Mr Modi and his party next week, to counter its 'Santavana Yatra.'