The broad daylight murder of a BJP leader in the state capital on Thursday has cast a shadow on Nitish’s government’s credo of good governance.

Three unknown miscreants pumped bullets into the chest and forehead of BJP leader Avinash Kumar when he was returning home after dropping his daughter at her school. The incident took place near Avinash’s residence at Daldali road in Kadamkuan area.

Those taking morning stroll were taken aback on hearing gunshots. While the three professional killers managed to escape, Avinash, bleeding profusely after being shot from close range, died on the spot.

His body was brought to the BJP office in the afternoon where top state leaders including former Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi and Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Nand Kishore Yadav paid tributes to the slain party worker.

“We have always maintained that ever since Nitish Kumar has joined hands with Lalu Prasad-led RJD, Bihar has been pushed towards another spell of jungle raj where only goondas (criminals) rule the roost,” said Modi, stepping up his offensive against the JD (U) government.

“Till Nitish ruled along with us, there was a rule of law across the state. Now, there is total arajakta (anarchy) where people are not safe even in Patna,” said Nand Kishore Yadav.

The matter was raised in the ongoing Assembly session too. However, the Senior SP (SSP) of Patna Vikas Vaibhav denied Avinash’s murder was a political killing. “Though it is too early to comment on the issue, but prima facie it does not appear to be a political killing,” the SSP said.

However, late in the evening, Bihar DGP PK Thakur set up a 24-member special investigation team (SIT) headed by DSP (Sadar) Ramakant to probe into the killing. “The SIT investigation will be monitored by an ADG-rank officer,” said the DGP. It is pertinent to mention here that Ramakant, one of the most efficient police officers, has a proven track record of cracking the difficult cases.