A BJP leader was shot dead allegedly by unidentified persons near Krishna theatre here, police said today.

The incident took place last evening when Srikant Bharti (42) was riding a bike on his way back home in Sonal Toli locality after attending a marriage function during which armed assailants on another bike shot him in his head from a close range, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG-Saran Range) Parasnath said.

He was taken to the Sadar hospital where he was declared brought dead, he said.

Bharti had unsuccessfully contested Assembly polls from Siwan seat in 2010 on Congress ticket, but later switched over to the BJP.

The killing sparked off a protest by his supporters and party workers who took to the streets and forced businessmen to down the shutters of their establishments for hours demanding arrest of the culprits.