Patna, July 8: The BJP today launched a scathing attack on chief minister Nitish Kumar over the serial blasts in Mahabodhi temple, after which he said “every incident is a learning experience”.

“Is the chief minister waiting for more explosions to take place before he can protect the temple?” asked former deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi, who today started a 24-hour fast in protest against the police firing in Bagaha, serial blasts in Mahabodhi temple and the alleged failure of the state government to rescue Hindu pilgrims stuck in Uttarakhand.

Modi will break his fast around 11.30am on Tuesday after BJP national president Rajnath Singh and senior party leader Arun Jaitley reach the venue of the fast near the Kargil roundabout, close to Gandhi Maidan. The two BJP leaders would also visit the Mahabodhi temple.

The BJP also questioned the chief minister’s claim that there was no security lapse at Mahabodhi Temple. The party pointed out that the security of the temple premises was left to private security guards.

The BJP claimed that the chief minister showcased lack of concern by making a ritualistic visit to the temple and rushing back to Patna to hold a meeting with JD(U) MLAs to chalk out the strategy to deal with the BJP.

“The chief minister did not even bother to ensure that the National Investigation Agency and National Security Guard teams reached on time,” said a BJP leader, pointing out that the state government was now putting the onus of security of the temple on its managing committee, headed by the Gaya district magistrate.

“There were many grave irregularities in the temple security. People were allowed to spend a night on the temple premises in lieu of a ticket priced at Rs 100,” said Modi.

Modi released a press note issued by Delhi police on October 23, 2012 based on the interrogation of four persons allegedly owing allegiance to Indian Mujahideen. The interrogation revealed that one Sayed Maqbool of Maharashtra was in close association with them and together they planned attacks on the Buddhist shrine at Bodhgaya.

“The press release is available on the website of the Delhi Police and it is not a classified document. My question is what was the chief minister, who is also the home minister of the state, doing after receiving alerts?” Modi asked

The party has also denounced the chief minister for stating that the BJP and the RJD would form an alliance. “As long as we are alive, the BJP will not have an alliance either with the Congress or the BJP. But Nitishji is supporting the Congress, supported by the RJD at the Centre. His two MLAs in Jharkhand may support the Congress-JMM-RJD government, which is in the process of being formed. Nitishji may be forced to forge an alliance with the RJD in Bihar,” Modi said, adding that instead of giving point-to-point answers to the charges levelled by him and his party, the chief minister was resorting to cheap remarks and theatrics.