A massive political uproar has erupted ahead of the by-election for the Datia assembly seat in Madhya Pradesh. Angered by the denial of a ticket to former Home Minister and stalwart BJP leader Narottam Mishra, his supporters have been fiercely protesting in the city since Friday night. The protest turned so violent that it caused a 15-kilometer-long traffic jam on National Highway-44 (NH-44), and stones were pelted at the police early Saturday morning.
Violence Erupted After Midnight
Since 6 PM yesterday, over 3,000 supporters forcibly shut down the Datia market and blocked the highway. Despite the administration's repeated attempts to reason with them, the crowd refused to disperse, and the situation spiraled out of control at around 4 AM.
Attack on Police: The protesters suddenly attacked the police team with stones.
Officers Injured: In this violent clash, Datia SP Mayur Khandelwal, the Additional SP, and more than six police personnel were seriously injured.
Police Action: To bring the situation under control, police had to fire tear gas shells and use mild force to disperse the crowd. Currently, some individuals have been detained, and a warning has been issued to the others to surrender.
Face-off: Police vs. Supporters
Police's Stance: According to SP Mayur Khandelwal, miscreants were attempting to disrupt the city's peace. Despite repeated appeals, they did not clear the highway and suddenly resorted to stone-pelting.
Supporters' Stance: BJP District Minister Bhanu Singh accused the police administration of brutality. He stated that the workers were peacefully singing 'Ramdhun' and pleading with the party high command to give the ticket to Narottam Mishra. He alleged that the police locked up BJP workers inside the office. Supporters have warned that their protest will continue until the ticket is changed.
Why the Uproar?
On Friday, the BJP announced Ashutosh Tiwari as its official candidate for the Datia by-election, replacing Narottam Mishra. Mishra and his supporters were highly optimistic about getting the ticket (he had even purchased a nomination form for it). As soon as Tiwari's name was announced, Mishra's supporters took to the streets and even threatened to quit the BJP.
However, engaging in damage control after receiving the ticket, Ashutosh Tiwari stated that Narottam Mishra is a guardian figure to him and that he will contest the election under his guidance.
Why is a By-election Happening in Datia?
2023 Election: Congress candidate Rajendra Bharti defeated the then Home Minister Narottam Mishra by a margin of over 7,500 votes.
MLA Disqualification: Earlier this year (April 2026), a Delhi court sentenced Rajendra Bharti to 3 years in prison in a fraud case. Consequently, he was disqualified as an MLA due to the sentence.
Election Schedule: Voting for this vacant seat will now take place on July 30, and the results will be declared on August 3.
