In an unfortunate incident, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar party’s MLA was reported by his fellow passengers on a train journey for walking around in his underwear.

A picture that went viral on social media showed JDU MLA Gopal Mandal walking around in his underwear in the AC First Class compartment of Tejas Rajdhani Express, on a journey from Patna to New Delhi.

NDTV News reported that the incident took place on Thursday.

Other passengers strongly objected to the MLA’s display and it almost led to a fight. The Railway Police Force (RPF) and the ticket examiner had to step in.

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Speaking to media, Rajesh Kumar, Chief Public Relation Officer (CPRO), East Central Railway said, “Fellow passengers complained about the behaviour of MLA. The police and the ticket examiner persuaded both parties.”

Meanwhile, Mandal blamed an upset stomach for his sartorial choice.

“I was in an underwear and vest. I had just boarded the train and had an upset stomach. I do not lie,” ANI reported MLA as saying.

Photos of the MLA roaming the train coach in a white vest have been widely shared.

Meanwhile, Kunal Singh, Gopal Mandal’s friend said that Mandal is a diabetes patient and was travelling to Delhi for some “urgent business”.

Kunal said that because of his weight, the MLA couldn’t go to the washroom in his clothes and therefore, use to wear lungi and gamchha (loincloth and cotton towel) when wanted to use the washroom.

“After boarding the train, he [Gopal Mandal] wanted to go to the washroom. He was in a hurry, so he went in his underwear. At this point of time, one passenger spoke with Mandal with impudence. The MLA didn’t say anything at that time but spoke with the passenger after returning from the washroom,” Republic TV reported Kunal Singh as saying.

Kunal Singh also denied all the allegations levelled by Prahad Paswan and said, “Nothing as such happened.”

Meanwhile, CPRO East Central Railway said RPF and TTE persuaded both parties and pacified the matter.