Launching a scathing attack on the Bihar government over the murder of businessman Gopal Khemka in Patna, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar have turned Bihar into India's "crime capital".

He said crime has become the "new normal" in Bihar, which goes to the polls later this year.

Urging the people to vote out the government that "cannot protect" their children, he said this was an election not to change the government, but to "save Bihar".

In a post on X, Gandhi said, "The murder of businessman Gopal Khemka has again proved that the BJP and Nitish Kumar have collaborated to make Bihar India's crime capital. Bihar is today living in the shadow of loot, bullets and murder. Crime has become the new normal and the government has completely failed."

"Bihar's brothers and sisters, this injustice cannot be tolerated anymore. The government that cannot protect your children cannot take responsibility for your future. Every murder, loot and bullet is a cry for change. It is time for a new Bihar where progress, and not fear, resides. This is not an election just to change the government, but to save Bihar," he said.

Gopal Khemka, a prominent businessman, was shot dead outside his Patna home late on Friday night.

According to reports, a man approached his car right outside his home, shot him, and fled the spot.

Khemka owned Magadh Hospital and several petrol pumps. His son was murdered in Hajipur seven years ago over a land dispute.

The murder has put the Nitish Kumar government in a difficult situation as the ruling coalition of JDU and BJP prepares for the Assembly polls.

The Opposition, the RJD and the Congress, are now targeting the state government over the law and order situation.

In a statement on Saturday, the Chief Minister's Office said Nitish Kumar met top officials and asked them to complete the probe into the businessman's murder at the earliest.

He has stressed that the rule of law is top priority for the government and "warned of strict action against police personnel in case of negligence".