If you fear Narendra Modi, why use President's shoulder to fire? BJP to Nitish Kumar

Patna: The BJP has launched a tweet attack on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, accusing him of trying to sabotage Narendra Modi's rally this month by inviting President Pranab Mukherjee at the same time.

"If you fear NaMo (Narendra Modi) so much, why use Hon President's shoulder to fire? Have courage to bring your partner Rahul Gandhi to Bihar," said BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain, taking a dig at Nitish Kumar's perceived bonhomie with the Congress ahead of polls due in May.

Mr Hussain said the Gujarat Chief Minister's rally on October 27 was announced way back in March. But Nitish Kumar, he alleged, was "trying to create an atmosphere of confrontation" by putting hurdles in his way.

This adds another chapter to the acrimonious break-up between the long-time allies, who ended their 17-year partnership amid sharp differences over Narendra Modi's elevation.

On Sunday, Nitish Kumar was targeted by BJP's Sushil Kumar Modi, who was his deputy until the June break-up.

"Nkumar is playing all tricks to put hurdles in success of NAMO's Hunkar Rally on 27th Oct. First permission for whole Maidan was denied. Now Nkumar has invited President of India to Patna on the same dates. He will be in Patna on 26th &27th (sic)," Sushil Kumar Modi tweeted on Sunday.

"The whole city will be barricaded for President's visit? Namo's plane will not be allowed to land till President's spl plane takes off?" he added.

Sources in the Bihar government denied the allegation, claiming that the President's schedule is decided by his office.

Yesterday, a leader from Nitish Kumar's party wrote to the Chief Minister, urging him to cancel Mr Modi's rally. "I also request you not to hesitate in arresting Modi if he dares to hold this rally in anyway," the JD(U) youth wing national general secretary Pradeep Yadav wrote.