BJP leader and party national spokesperson Syed Shahnawaz Hussain on Thursday attacked Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar claiming that the Jharkhand elections would prove to be a litmus test for their possible alliance.

The attack came at a time all eyes are on the possible merger of Janata parivar parties - Samajwadi Party, RJD and JDU.

Hussain, who extensively campaigned for BJP candidates and is confident of the party's performance in the Jharkhand polls, said: 'The real strength of Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar's party alliance would be seen in Jharkhand, as both the parties, along with the Congress, are contesting the elections.' While Lalu campaigned for party candidates and alliance partner candidates in Jharkhand, former chief minister Nitish Kumar campaigned for a few candidates after the third phase of polling.

Hussain said: 'Nitish Kumar wary of the party's performance started campaigning in Jharkhand only after the third phase of polls was over in more than 50 seats.'

He added that the Congress, the RJD and the JDU were alliance partners in Jharkhand in spite of sharing bitter differences in rank and file at the ground level.

Reacting to Hussain's statements, JDU state spokesperson Dr Ajay Alok said: 'He should first clear the BJP's stand on its association with the RSS and how the latter's programmes are different from that of the BJP and other Sangh parivar wings.'

On development issue of minorities, Alok said: 'Hussain should first check the facts and figures of the Bihar government programme initiated for the welfare of minorities and should compare it with those of the Gujarat government.'