Sushil Kumar Modi's Cavalcade Attacked by RJD Supporters in Vaishali

Patna: Political animosity took an ugly turn on Tuesday evening when Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Kumar Modi's cavalcade was attacked, allegedly by supporters of RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav, in Vaishali district of the state.

The deputy chief minister called it a 'cowardly act' and urged his supporters to 'remain calm and peaceful'. He also said that it showed the desperation of RJD.

Sushil Modi was on his way to participate in the last rite rituals of a party worker when his cavalcade was intercepted by RJD supporters.

It is alleged that supporters of Tejashwi Yadav targeted Sushil Modi's car with bricks and stones which damaged windowpanes, but security men swiftly covered him and drove away.

The incident took place a few minutes after RJD supremo Lalu Prasad's son and now the Leader of Opposition Tejaswi Prasad Yadav's cavalcade had passed through the area to Samastipur to launch the second stage of his programme against disintegration of the Grand Alliance government.

The area where Modi's car was attacked is known to be a stronghold of the RJD, the workers and supporters of which are particularly angry with the BJP leader for levelling a series of corruption allegations against Lalu and his family.

Lalu, however, denied an "RJD hand" in the incident and alleged that it was Modi who "orchestrated" it.

"RJD workers do not believe in violence...it (the attack) must have been orchestrated by Sushil Modi with the help of his supporters for political gains," he said.

The RJD chief alleged that the BJP leader was known for his "habit of enacting such dramas".

JDU has strongly reacted to the incident and called it the gunda act of the RJD. "They are known for this. Lalu and company are not able to digest the fact that they are no longer in power. So they resorted to their old tactics," JDU spokesman Neeraj Kumar said.

He informed that the state government will probe this incident and culprits would be brought to book.

NDA alliance partner LJP also condemned the attack. Party leader and union minister Ramvilas Paswan said, "Such an act shows the RJD in their true colors. We will continue to fight their nefarious agenda."