Patna, Jan. 24: Both Lalu Prasad and Nitish Kumar are the “disciples” of Bihar’s socialist icon Karpoori Thakur — but that is perhaps not a strong reason to unite over.

At war with each other, the railway minister and the Bihar chief minister chose different days to celebrate Thakur’s birth anniversary today.

And instead of dwelling on the leader’s ideals — Lalu and Nitish both used the occasion to attack each other. “He (Lalu Prasad) camped in Bikramganj for days. What happened? Eventually, the people voted for the party and government that is trying to carry out development in the state,” the Bihar chief minister said, addressing an event held to commemorate Thakur’s anniversary today.

Nitish Kumar not only attacked Lalu Prasad but he held all the “RJD ministers at the Centre” responsible for creating hurdles in the development of the state.

“These RJD ministers are aware that the Centre has brought only 65-lakh families under BPL schemes in Bihar against an actual number of 1.16crore. As a result thousands of families living below the poverty line are not receiving benefits meant for them,” he said.

Kumar claimed that he and his government was the “true representatives” of Karpoori Thakur’s ideals and wishes.

On the other hand, Lalu Prasad who celebrated his ideal’s anniversary yesterday launched an all-out attack on the Nitish Kumar government. “Look how people from the BJP camp, too, are claiming to be Thakur’s successors. Even the communal BJP, against whom Thakur fought throughout his life, finds it fashionable to celebrate his anniversary,” Lalu Prasad remarked. His words were sarcastic at best. “Central funds are being looted in Bihar. I have no idea where the funds, especially meant for the poor, are being used,” he added.