Ruckus among supporters in Datia over Narottam Mishra not getting ticket, jam on NH-44, many officers including SP injured in stone pelting

Datia: The political atmosphere suddenly heated up after the announcement of BJP candidate for Datia Assembly by-election of Madhya Pradesh. Due to the name of former Home Minister Narottam Mishra not appearing in the ticket list, there was huge anger among his supporters. The protest grew so much that thousands of supporters took to the streets, blocked National Highway-44 for hours and the situation gradually turned violent. Many police officers and soldiers were injured in the stone pelting incident, after which the administration had to use force to control the situation.

BJP declared Ashutosh Tiwari as its candidate for Datia assembly by-election. After this, supporters of Narottam Mishra started openly opposing the decision. He said that the party should have given the ticket to the former Home Minister only. A large number of supporters started gathering in Datia city from Friday evening itself. Within no time, the protest took a bigger form and the protesters blocked the National Highway-44. Due to this, queues of vehicles formed for long distances and the traffic in the surrounding districts was also affected.

Clashes escalate between police and protesters

According to Datia Superintendent of Police Mayur Khandelwal, about three thousand people were protesting since around 6 pm. The police and district administration kept appealing to the protesters to vacate the road, but no one listened. The situation suddenly worsened at around four in the morning. The protesters started pelting stones at the police.

More than six policemen including SP Mayur Khandelwal, Additional SP were injured in this attack. All the injured were sent to the hospital for treatment. To control the situation, the police first released tear gas shells. When stone pelting continued even after this, additional force was called and action was taken. Police have detained some people, while others have been identified and further action is being taken.

BJP leader raised questions on police action

BJP District Minister Bhanu Singh raised questions on the action of the police administration. He says that the protest was completely peaceful and the workers were only demanding the party leadership to reconsider the ticket. He alleged that the workers expressed their views by singing Ramdhun throughout the night, but the police tried to stop them at the party office. He said that the movement will continue until Narottam Mishra is not given the ticket.

Why are the supporters angry?

Narottam Mishra from Datia seat has been a big face of BJP for a long time. His supporters were confident that the party would once again make him its candidate in the by-elections. It is being told that he had also started preparations for nomination. But as soon as the party announced the name of Ashutosh Tiwari, the anger of the supporters erupted. Many workers lay down on the road, some took off their shirts in protest and some even threatened to leave the party. However, new candidate Ashutosh Tiwari said that Narottam Mishra is his senior leader and guide. He expressed confidence that Mishra will support him in the election campaign and the party will fight the elections unitedly.

Why is by-election being held in Datia?

Datia assembly seat was won by Rajendra Bharti of Congress in the year 2023 elections. He defeated the then Home Minister Narottam Mishra by about 7,500 votes. Later in the year 2026, a Delhi court sentenced Rajendra Bharti to three years in prison in a fraud-related case. After his conviction, his assembly membership ended, leaving this seat vacant. Now by-election is being held on this seat. According to the election schedule, voting will be held on July 30, while the results will be declared after counting of votes on August 3.