Gunmen kill BJP senior leader in India's Bihar state

A senior leader belonging to rightwing Hindu nationalist Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in India's eastern state of Bihar, police said on Saturday.

Visheshwar Ojha, BJP vice-president in Bihar was killed Friday evening in the Bhojpur district, about 74 km east of capital city - Patna.

"Ojha was shot dead inside his vehicle, while returning home," a police official said.

The Bihar government has ordered an inquiry into the killing.

India's official broadcaster All India Radio Saturday quoted state's police chief P K Thakur as saying they have constituted a special investigation team to probe the incident.

Media reports said Ojha was facing more than 10 criminal cases. He unsuccessfully contested last year's elections in the state.

Police officials, according to media reports, suspect Ojha's personal rivalry behind his killing.

Another BJP leader Kedar Singh was killed in Chhapra town of Saran district, north of Patna on Friday.

Meanwhile, BJP, which is the opposition party in state gave a 72-hour ultimatum to the government to arrest the killers of Ojha, otherwise they would launch a statewide protests.

Ironically both the killings took place on the day Chief Minister Nitish Kumar wrapped up a two-day meeting to review law and order in the state. Endit