The political landscape in Datia has witnessed a massive upheaval following the Bharatiya Janata Party's announcement of Ashutosh Tiwari as its candidate for the upcoming assembly by-election. This decision has triggered intense resentment among the supporters of senior leader and former Home Minister Narottam Mishra, leading to widespread protests, road blockades, and clashes with law enforcement agencies. The situation escalated rapidly as thousands of supporters gathered to express their dissatisfaction with the party's choice, resulting in a significant law and order challenge for the local administration.
Supporters Storm BJP Office and Block National Highway 44
The protest began with Narottam Mishra's supporters gathering at the BJP district office in Datia. In a dramatic display of anger, several workers climbed onto the roof of the party office and raised slogans against the leadership's decision. The unrest soon spilled onto the streets, where more than 3000 protesters marched towards National Highway 44. The demonstrators successfully blocked the highway for approximately 12 hours, causing a massive traffic jam and stranding hundreds of vehicles. The protesters demanded a reconsideration of the candidacy, insisting that Narottam Mishra remains the most suitable face for the constituency.
Clashes with Police and Administrative Response
As the blockade continued, the police and district administration attempted to intervene to restore order. Datia District Magistrate Swapnil Wankhede reported that the situation turned violent when protesters began pelting stones at the police force. In the ensuing chaos, more than 6 police personnel sustained injuries. To disperse the agitated crowd and clear the highway, the police were forced to use tear gas shells and resort to a mild lathi-charge. Superintendent of Police Mayur Khandelwal stated that the administration tried to reason with the protesters by citing the Model Code of Conduct, but the crowd attempted to forcefully shut down local markets and continued the blockade. Consequently, several individuals were taken into custody, and the highway was eventually cleared for traffic.
Internal Rebellion and Candidate Profile
The discontent within the party was evident even before the street protests reached their peak. On Friday, July 10, several key office-bearers, including the BJP district unit president and local councilors, tendered their resignations in protest against Ashutosh Tiwari's nomination. Ashutosh Tiwari, the chosen candidate, has a long-standing association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and has been active in various organizational roles within the BJP, while the party leadership appears to have placed its trust in an organizational face this time, despite the high-profile stature of Narottam Mishra.
The Legacy of Narottam Mishra and By-election Context
Dr. Narottam Mishra is considered one of the most powerful and senior faces of the BJP in Madhya Pradesh, while having served as a multi-term MLA and held crucial portfolios like Home and Public Relations, his influence in the state's politics is substantial. He played a pivotal role during the political developments of 2020. However, he faced a defeat in the last assembly election from this very seat. The necessity for a by-election in Datia arose after the disqualification of former Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti. Bharti lost his assembly membership after being sentenced to 3 years in a bank fraud case. The Delhi High Court recently refused to stay his conviction, paving the way for the by-poll.
Election Schedule and Current Status
According to the official election schedule, voting for the Datia assembly seat is set to take place on July 30, with the counting of votes scheduled for August 3. While the BJP is grappling with internal dissent, the Congress party is yet to officially announce its candidate. Sources suggest that the Congress will declare its nominee shortly before the final date for filing nominations. The administration remains on high alert to prevent any further violence as the election date approaches.