NEW DELHI (TIP): Hours before Nitish Kumar’s swearing-in as Bihar chief minister following an election that the BJP handsomely lost, party rebel Shatrughan Sinha, through a series of tweets, continued to taunt his party leadership, which he has repeatedly attacked for ignoring him during the crucial polls.

“It has been the victory of democracy. I wish the new government led by Nitish babu, Laluji and rising star Rahul Gandhi great success,” the actor-turned-politician tweeted on Thursday night.

Hours ago at an event in New Delhi, the Congress vice-president had launched a high-voltage assault on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sealing his position as Modi’s official enemy. Sinha now calling Rahul a “rising star” opens a new front in the Patna Sahib MP’s frequent barbs at the BJP, which began after the results of the Bihar elections were declared on November 8.

“I welcome Nitish “Susashan” Babu, messiah of development as CM of Bihar & congratulate Laluji, leader of masses for massive victory in Bihar,” said another tweet by Sinha, who added that “despite his best intention”, he will not be able to attend the swearing-in ceremony at Patna’s Gandhi Maidan.

“Will miss the ceremony, but Nitishbabu & Laluji, I remain a well-wisher, admirer and friend…and remember, once a friend, always a friend,” he tweeted.