His colleague, minorities minister Abdul Ghafoor who had drawn flak for visiting Shahabuddin in jail, declared that his party would not sit quietly if JDU leaders say something against RJD leaders.

"They (JDU) should first control their leaders", Ghafoor said.

JDU spokesperson Neeraj Kumar retorted: "If RJD leaders say anything they will get an answer."

Even when Nitish Kumar was with the NDA, there used to be heated exchange of words between the JDU and BJP leaders. "But the level of bitterness never reached such a level that a press conference had to be held to condemn an ally," admitted a senior JDU leader on condition of anonymity. "This war of words is going out of hand."

The "outsider" in the middle of the row, Shahabuddin, today declared that he stands by his statement on Nitish.

"Let the government clamp CCA (Crime Control Act) on me," he said after offering prayers in his native village Pratappur in Siwan district. "I will not go to beg from anyone. I will not change. People have accepted me as I am."