JD(U) MLA protests outside CM house over ticket ‘denial’

Patna: Four-time JD(U) MLA from Gopalpur in Bhagalpur district, Gopal Mandal, known for his controversial remarks and frequent public outbursts, on Tuesday sat on a dharna outside CM Nitish Kumar’s residence, demanding that he be allowed to contest the Gopalpur seat for a fifth time on the party symbol.Mandal, who has represented Gopalpur since Nov 2005, faces uncertainty as the seat goes to polls in the first phase. There are indications that the JD(U) might field Shailesh Kumar alias Bulo Mandal instead from the seat. Bulo, who earlier represented Bihpur on an RJD ticket and later served as Bhagalpur MP in 2014, joined the JD(U) last year and is now seeking the Gopalpur nomination, a move that has placed Gopal Mandal in a tight spot.Around 8.30am, Mandal and his supporters gathered at the outer gate of the CM’s residence, pleading that he not be denied the ticket. Security personnel quickly surrounded the area, preventing him from entering the premises. Mandal then spread his white “gamchha” on the ground and sat alone on dharna while his supporters stood nearby.“A conspiracy has been hatched to deny me the ticket. There are some people at the CM’s residence who want to ensure that I am not given the ticket,” Mandal told reporters before beginning his protest.

“I will not leave the place. They will have to resort to lathi charge to remove me from here. I am not annoyed with the CM, but with some persons in the party,” he added.Meanwhile, Bhagalpur MP Ajay Kumar Mandal wrote to CM Nitish Kumar on Tuesday, expressing his wish to resign, alleging that he has been sidelined from party affairs, including ticket distribution for the upcoming assembly polls.Relations between Gopal Mandal, Ajay Mandal and Bulo Mandal have long been strained. Gopal Mandal, notorious for his past conduct, drew media attention in 2021 when he walked through Tejas Rajdhani Express in his undergarments, later facing an FIR. He has since been involved in several other controversial incidents, including public altercations and stage performances.