Daijiworld Media Network - Patna
Patna, Jul 6: A day after prominent businessman Gopal Khemka was shot dead outside his residence in Patna, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi launched a fierce attack on the BJP-JDU government in Bihar, accusing it of turning the state into the “crime capital” of India.
Gandhi alleged that under Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the BJP, crime had become the "new normal" in the state. “Bihar is today living in the shadow of loot, bullets and murder,” he posted on X. Calling for a political overhaul, he said this election was not just to change the government, but to “save Bihar”.
Khemka, who owned Magadh Hospital and several petrol pumps, was gunned down late Friday night. CCTV footage revealed a man walking up to his car and shooting him at point-blank range. Khemka’s son was also murdered seven years ago in Hajipur in a land dispute case.
The murder has triggered a political storm ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, with Opposition parties including Congress and RJD sharpening their criticism of the state government over deteriorating law and order.
Reacting to the outrage, the Chief Minister’s Office said Nitish Kumar held an emergency meeting with top officials and directed them to swiftly complete the probe. He also warned police officers of strict action in case of negligence.
Meanwhile, Bihar Director General of Police Vinay Kumar denied allegations of delay in police response. He clarified that the police received the first information around 12:30 am, and senior officials arrived at the crime scene within minutes. “There is no question of delay,” he said, adding that an SIT has been formed to investigate the murder.
The incident has placed the ruling NDA on the backfoot, especially as it has long accused the RJD of ‘jungleraj’ during its previous tenure. Union Minister Nityanand Rai defended the government, saying, “Earlier, criminals used to get protection. Now, action is taken, and criminals are punished.”
As political temperatures rise in Bihar, the brutal murder of Gopal Khemka has become a focal point in the state’s volatile electoral narrative.