Patna: JD(U) MLA Gopal Mandal has staged a sit-in outside Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s official residence in Patna, amid speculation that the party may deny him a ticket from the Gopalpur constituency in Bhagalpur.
Mandal, accompanied by his supporters, arrived at the Chief Minister’s residence on Monday morning, asserting that he wished to meet CM Nitish Kumar to discuss his candidacy. “Some people are conspiring to deny me the ticket,” Mandal said, adding that he had been unable to secure a meeting with the Chief Minister and therefore decided to stage the protest.
He has remained outside the residence since 8:30 AM, vowing to continue the sit-in until his demands are met. Supporters dismissed rumours of his ticket being withdrawn, raising slogans in his favour. Mandal, a long-standing figure in Bihar politics, insisted that his influence would eventually be recognised.
The protest comes amid a tense pre-election environment in the state, with several JD(U) leaders reportedly awaiting confirmation of their nominations.
