Former MLA Gopal Mandal launched a sharp attack on the Janata Dal (United) on Saturday, 17 October 2026, after his son Ashish Mandal formally joined the Indian National Congress at a ceremony in Bhagalpur, Bihar. The induction, held at the local Congress office, adds a new political flashpoint to the already competitive landscape of Bhagalpur ahead of state-level electoral activity.

The Induction Ceremony

The joining event was presided over by Bihar Congress president Rajesh Ram and the party's Bihar in-charge Krishna Allavaru. Ashish Mandal, who comes from the Extremely Backward Classes (EBC) category, was welcomed as an energetic young leader. Rajesh Ram described Ashish as someone inspired by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's ideology, adding that Gandhi's outreach to students and his efforts to protect the Constitution were drawing young people to the party across multiple states.

Gopal Mandal's Broadside Against JD-U

Following his son's induction, Gopal Mandal described the JD-U as a 'party of middlemen' and claimed the party no longer had influential leaders. He also remarked that the influence of JD-U leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had declined — a pointed critique given that Gopal Mandal himself was once associated with the JD-U fold. Political observers in Bhagalpur noted that the remarks carry added weight coming from a former MLA with local standing.

Ashish Mandal on Ideology and the Political System

Ashish Mandal stated that his decision to join Congress was driven primarily by ideology. He argued that Congress's principles aligned with the interests of the country and society, and said politics should be grounded in equality and mutual respect rather than discrimination on religious or caste lines. 'People should receive equal respect regardless of their economic background, caste or religion,' he said.

Ashish also highlighted his family's historical association with the Congress, noting that earlier generations had been connected with the party and that the younger generation now seeks to carry forward its legacy. He expressed a desire to strengthen Congress's ideological presence from Bhagalpur to Delhi, stressing the role young people could play in that effort.

On the BJP and Constitutional Values

Ashish clarified that his opposition was directed at the political system implemented by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rather than at its members personally. He argued that if the BJP moved away from caste- and religion-based politics and improved its governance approach, there would be less reason to oppose it. He placed constitutional values and social equality at the centre of his stated reasons for joining the Congress.

Significance for Bhagalpur Politics

This comes amid growing Congress efforts to consolidate EBC and backward-community support in Bihar, a constituency that has historically been contested between the JD-U and regional formations. The Mandal family's pivot to Congress signals that the party is actively recruiting candidates with regional name recognition and community roots. How Nitish Kumar's JD-U responds — and whether the BJP alliance recalibrates its outreach in Bhagalpur — will be worth watching in the weeks ahead.