PATNA, July 24 -- With the arrest of one of the accused, Patna police on Wednesday claimed to have cracked the murder case of BJP leader Surendra Prasad (52), who was shot dead by unidentified assailants at Sheikhpura village under Pipra police station in Punpun block of Patna on the night of July 12. Prasad, also a veterinary doctor and former president of BJP Kisan Morcha (Punpun block), was attacked while he was in his field. Patna City SP (East), Parichay Kumar, said that Surendra Prasad was gunned down around 8 p.m. on July 12. "Soon after the incident, a special team was formed to track down the culprits. Based on technical and scientific investigation, the police arrested the shooter, Ratnesh Kumar, and recovered the pistol used in the crime. One live cartridge was also recovered from his possession," he added. During interrogation, the accused confessed to his involvement in the murder and revealed that the killing was the result of local political rivalry. "According to the accused, Rs.2 lakh was promised for the murder, of which Rs.2,000 was paid in advance. However, our probe suggests that around Rs.15,000 to Rs.20,000 was paid upfront," said the SP. He added that Prasad, though not holding any official post at the time, was an active BJP worker and closely connected with grassroots politics in the village. The incident occurred when Prasad had gone to his field along the Bihta-Sarmera State Highway-78, on the outskirts of the village, to switch off a water motor. As he prepared to return home, a group of armed men on motorcycles reached the spot and opened indiscriminate fire, pumping four bullets into his body. He died on the spot....