Ranchi, June 17 -- Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Wednesday hit back at the NDA over its show of unity ahead of the June 18 Rajya Sabha election, escalating the political war of words between the rival camps.

Reacting to a photograph of NDA legislators circulated on social media, JMM accused the BJP of backing an "outsider" candidate and questioned its stand on issues of local identity and regional pride.

In a post on its official social media handle, the ruling party said the image reflected the BJP's political priorities and alleged that all NDA legislators had come together to ensure the victory of an "outsider candidate".

The party also took a swipe at BJP leaders over their earlier assertions on Jharkhand's identity and local inter...