Patna, Sep 5 (IANS): Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar Saturday while kicking off the party's election campaign in Saharsa and Samastipur districts in the poll-bound state.

Gandhi, in his address in Hindi at Patel Maidan in Saharsa, said Nitish Kumar's development claims were far from true as migration from the state continued unabated and Bihar remained one of the poorest and backward states.

"A large number of people from Bihar are forced to migrate to other areas, particularly Delhi, Mumbai, Punjab and Haryana, to earn livelihood as there is no opportunity for it in the state. If development has taken place, people would love to stay in the state," Gandhi said.

Gandhi refuted the charges made by Nitish Kumar of inadequate central funds for Bihar.

The central government led by the United Progressive Alliance has provided more funds to Bihar than in the past, he said.

Gandhi said that central funds for development hardly reach the poorest of the poor in rural Bihar due to corruption. "Funds were provided to the state government but it never reached the poor," he said.

Gandhi said that like Uttar Pradesh, the Congress will do well in Bihar and work hard to regain the people's faith.

Congress will work with the support of youths to bring about a change in Bihar, he said.

After Saharsa, Gandhi visited Samastipur district for another rally, before leaving for New Delhi.

During his address, Gandhi also questioned Nitish Kumar's bid to maintain distance from Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi - following a controversial ad showing him with Modi appeared in local newspapers - while running a government in the state with the support of the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Elections to 243 assembly constituency in the state are likely to be held October-November.