Nitish slams BJP for playing politics of communalism, says Modi's silence on Dadri incident 'dangerous'

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has taken on Prime Miniter Narendra Modi once again even as the state is in the midst of five-phase election which has seen a bitter and acerbic campaign by the two mail rivals- Janata Dal United-Rashtriya Janata Dal-Congress Mahagathbandhan and Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance.

Nitish Kumar has slammed the BJP for playing politics of communalism. Speaking exclusively to CNN-IBN, Nitish has said that BJP's real face of intolerance has been exposed.

"BJP talks about development but its real agenda is communalism. Development is just a 'Mukhauta' (mask), its real face is communal polarisation," said Nitish.

Nitish also slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for maintaining silence over the Dadri lynching incident saying, "Prime Minister's silence on Dadri incident is dangerous."

The Chief Minister's attack on the BJP came just hours after party president Amit Shah summoned leaders for their controversial statements and Modi being reportedly upset over it.

On September 28, 50-year-old Mohammad Akhlaq was murdered following rumours that his family ate beef in Dadri's Bishada village in Uttar Pradesh. His 22-year-old son Danish was also grievously injured in the attack.

Earlier, Modi had termed the gruesome murder as unfortunate and appealed to people not to fight against each other and follow the path shown by the President.

Nitish also clarified that the Bihar Assembly elections will be fought on the plank of development. "The mandate for 2014 Lok Sabha elections were in favour of Narendra Modi but this election is all about the work that I have done as the Chief Minister. And Bihar wanted me as its chief minister," said Nitish.

Highlighting BJP's desperation to win the elections for 243-member Assembly, Nitish said, "Bihar is so desperate for victory in Bihar that the whole leadership has shifted to Patna."

The Bihar Assembly elections is a litmus for both Nitish-led Mahagathbandhan as well Modi-led National Democratic Alliance and none of them is leaving any stone unturned to win the elections.