The MLA was seen roaming the coach in a white vest
An MLA of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's party was reported by his fellow passengers on a train journey for walking around in his underwear. JDU MLA Gopal Mandal is seen in his underwear in the AC First Class compartment of Tejas Rajdhani Express, on a journey from Patna to New Delhi.
The incident took place on Thursday.
Other passengers objected strongly 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.
"Fellow passengers complained about the behaviour of MLA. The police and the ticket examiner persuaded both parties," said Rajesh Kumar, Chief Public Relation Officer (CPRO), East Central Railway.
Mr 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," said the MLA.
Photos of the MLA roaming the train coach in a white vest have been widely shared.
The legislator insisted that the co-passengers had "over-reacted", claiming: "I was suffering from dysentery. As soon as the journey began I felt the need to go to the washroom. So I ripped off my kurta and pyjama and made a dash to the toilet".
On allegations that his attire made female passengers uncomfortable, Mr Mandal, who represents Gopalpur constituency of Bhagalpur district, claimed there was no woman in the coach.
"On the way (to the toilet), I was accosted by this self-righteous man. I shoved him away and after relieving myself I confronted him. I admonished him saying he should have looked at my age. I am 60. He spoke of female passengers feeling uncomfortable though no woman or girl was inside the compartment," the MLA said.
The Opposition RJD said Nitish Kumar should take note of the MLA's "foul behaviour".
"The so-called sushasan babu (a sobriquet given mockingly to Nitish Kumar by party supremo Lalu Prasad) should take note of such foul behaviour. The state keeps getting a bad name for myriad reasons", said RJD MLA and chief spokesman Bhai Virendra.
Lok Janshakti Party MP Chirag Paswan blamed such incidents for "Bihar's poor reputation".
"I am not aware of the full episode. But I must say it is incidents like these that are responsible for Bihar's poor reputation. I wish the Chief Minister, who is now left with just a handful of MLAs, could spend some time tutoring the public representatives on public conduct," said Mr Paswan.
(With PTI inputs)