BJP leader shot dead in Bihar, violent protests follow

Srikant Bharti contested the 2010 state assembly polls but lost

A senior state BJP leader, Srikant Bharti was shot dead in Bihar's Siwan district, triggering violent protests Monday by his supporters, police said.

Bharti was killed by unidentified men late Sunday night when he was returning from a marriage party.

"Hundreds of supporters of the murdered leader, mostly BJP local leaders and workers, blocked roads and burnt tyres. They also raised slogans against the state government," a district police official said.

Tension prevailed in the area but the situation was brought under control as additional security forces were deployed, police officials said.

Bharti was a confidant of BJP MP from Siwan Om Prakash Yadav.

He contested the 2010 state assembly polls but lost.

Bharti's family members and supporters considered his murder as a political killing planned by rivals.