Tejashwi takes part in procession by traders in Patna

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav Monday took part in a procession taken out by traders' bodies in the city in protest against the murder of a young industrialist in Vaishali district last week.

Gunjan Khemka, who was also the convenor of the state BJP's small industries cell, was shot dead on Thursday by a motorcycle-borne unidentified assailant.

His killing had drawn strong reactions from the business community in the Bihar capital who complained that such incidents made them feel insecure.

On Sunday, barely a couple of hours after Khemka's home was visited by Deputy Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi, Yadav - who is the leader of the opposition in the state assembly - met the bereaved family members and consoled them.

On Monday evening, he again appeared at a candle light march taken out by various organisations of businessmen and industrialists where he said he wished to lend his voice to their concerns.

Talking to reporters on the occasion, Yadav who is himself a former Deputy CM, told reporters "our party stands in solidarity with the businessmen who are naturally feeling insecure in a regime where those in power stand with folded hands before anti-social elements".

The RJD heir apparent's remark was an obvious jibe at Sushil Modi, who had at the Pitri Paksh Mela held in Gaya in the month of September urged criminals to refrain from indulging in anti-social activities "at least" during the fortnight-long fair, during which people from far-off places visit the pilgrim town.

The Deputy CM has since been pilloried by the opposition parties in the state which have been alleging that the gesture indicated the Nitish Kumar government's inability to maintain law and order.