Chirag Paswan slams own Govt after BJP-linked businessman shot dead in Patna

Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan on Sunday criticised the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government in Bihar following the murder of businessman Gopal Khemka in Patna’s Gandhi Maidan area. Paswan said the incident raised serious concerns about safety, particularly as it occurred in a high-security locality of the capital city.

Gopal Khemka, reportedly associated with the BJP, was shot dead outside his residence around 11:40 pm on Friday. According to initial reports, an unidentified armed assailant opened fire as Khemka was about to get out of his car. He succumbed to his injuries on the spot. The murder comes seven years after Khemka's son was similarly shot dead in Hajipur.

"If such an incident happens in a posh locality of Patna, then we can only imagine what is happening in villages," Paswan said. He termed the killing “worrying” and added, “Strict action needs to be taken to set a precedent so that such a thing is not repeated.” He also noted that incidents like these provide opportunities for the opposition to raise questions about governance.

Following the murder, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar convened a high-level meeting on Saturday to assess the law and order situation. Officials were instructed to ensure a speedy and thorough investigation into Khemka’s murder. No arrests have been confirmed yet, and the identity of the shooter remains unknown.

Opposition leaders including RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also criticised the state government. Rahul Gandhi alleged that the incident shows how the BJP and Nitish Kumar have turned Bihar into the "crime capital of India". Tejashwi Yadav claimed that Bihar has seen “65,000 murders” in the last two decades, suggesting a collapse in the law enforcement system.