Patna, Aug. 8: Nitish Kumar's DNA war against Prime Minister Narendra Modi stands jeopardised till August 10, following the murder of a BJP activist here on Thursday.
The daylight crime also dealt a blow to the law and order situation ahead of the Assembly elections.
Nitish's political strategist Prashant Kishor had planned a highly visible campaign on the streets, the television and radio starting from Friday, two days ahead of Modi's Gaya visit. It was preceded by Nitish's open letter to Modi and live chat on Twitter last Wednesday, demanding the withdrawal of Modi's DNA remark on him.
However, sources in Prashant's political outfit, Indian People's Action Committee (IPAC), claimed that everything was suddenly postponed till August 10 following the killing of Avinash Kumar.
"There was hustle and bustle in Prashant's team at the chief minister's bungalow 7 Circular Road till late on Wednesday night. A massive campaign, including street, radio and television as media, ahead of Modi's Gaya visit was ready for launch to compel Modi to respond on the DNA issue during his rally at Gaya. Nitish was scheduled to hold a news meet on the same issue on Thursday. However, all such activities were put on hold soon after the news of the murder," said a JDU leader.
BJP activist Avinash was gunned down by three men in Daldali area in Patna around 6.30am on Thursday.
"Though exact reasons have not been divulged, it might not have been considered a wise move to go ahead with the DNA campaign in face of the murder in the state capital. It would have triggered resentment in the BJP, especially in context of the 48-hour ultimatum it gave the police to nab the culprits," said the JDU leader.
During his first campaign rally at Muzaffarpur on July 25, the Prime Minister had remarked on Nitish's style of politics and said: " Iss aadmi kaa DNA hi kharab hai (this man's DNA is poor)."
The IPAC had launched an all-out campaign Jhaanse mein na aayenge, Nitish ko jitayenge on the morning of July 25 before Modi arrived in Patna and Muzaffarpur.
Nitish was prompt in taking up the DNA remark, portraying it as a wound to Bihari pride. "The same (rally) day, Prashant floated the idea of coming out with a strong and highly visible campaign on the DNA issue. We wanted Modi to take back his words," said the IPAC source.
However, this evening, a contract was awarded to a private radio channel to play jingles on this issue. They relate Chanakya and Aryabhatta to the DNA of Bihar and slam the BJP for hurting Bihari sentiments. JDU sources told The Telegraph that the DNA- campaign was likely to resume from August 10.
Nitish had received over 500 tweets on his Twitter handle during the two-hour live chat on Wednesday. In reply to one of the tweets, Nitish wrote on Thursday: "Don't you think such comment on the elected chief minister of the state made by the PM could hurt many and is completely undesirable?"
Nitish made a passing comment on the DNA issue even during the inauguration of Bihar Museum on Friday.
