Datia Bypoll Snub: Narottam Mishra Supporters Protest, Block Highway
Violent protests erupted in Datia, Madhya Pradesh, after BJP denied a bypoll ticket to former minister Narottam Mishra, choosing Ashutosh Tiwari instead. Supporters blocked NH-44 for 12 hours, pelted stones, injuring several police officers, and causing significant disruption.
Key Highlights
- Narottam Mishra's supporters protested BJP's Datia bypoll ticket decision.
- Ashutosh Tiwari was announced as BJP's candidate for Datia by-election.
- Protesters blocked National Highway-44 for nearly 12 hours.
- Stone-pelting injured multiple police personnel, including Datia SP.
- Bypoll necessitated by Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti's disqualification.
- Narottam Mishra urged supporters to maintain calm and use party forums.
Violent protests erupted in Madhya Pradesh's Datia district following the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) decision to deny a bypoll ticket to prominent state leader and former minister, Narottam Mishra. The unrest began on Friday evening, July 10, 2026, and escalated into Saturday morning, July 11, 2026, with supporters of Mishra taking to the streets, blocking a major national highway, and clashing with police personnel.
The immediate trigger for the widespread agitation was the BJP's announcement on Friday that Ashutosh Tiwari would be its candidate for the upcoming Datia assembly by-election, overlooking Narottam Mishra. This decision came as a significant blow to Mishra, who had reportedly been actively campaigning for the seat and had even purchased a nomination form, leading many to believe he was the frontrunner. The Datia by-election is scheduled for polling on July 30, 2026, with vote counting set for August 3, 2026.
Enraged by the party's choice, thousands of Mishra's supporters gathered and initiated a 'chakka jam' (roadblock) on National Highway-44, which is a critical artery connecting various regions. The blockade lasted for nearly 11 to 12 hours, causing extensive traffic disruption and long queues of vehicles stretching up to 15-20 kilometers towards Jhansi and Gwalior. The administration attempted to divert traffic, but commuters faced severe inconvenience.
The protest turned violent as demonstrators allegedly began pelting stones at police personnel who were attempting to clear the highway in the early hours of Saturday. The clashes resulted in injuries to more than six police personnel, including Datia Superintendent of Police Mayur Khandelwal and other senior officers. Several police vehicles and other vehicles were also damaged, with one reportedly overturned. In response to the escalating violence, police resorted to firing tear gas shells to disperse the agitated crowd and subsequently made arrests. Datia Collector Swapnil Wankhede confirmed that while tear gas was used, police did not resort to cane-charging the protesters.
The by-election in Datia was necessitated by the disqualification of Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti. Bharti had won the Datia seat against Narottam Mishra in the 2023 Assembly elections. However, in April 2026, a Delhi court sentenced Bharti to three years' imprisonment in a cheating case involving bank fraud, leading to his disqualification as an MLA. Although he was later granted bail, the disqualification created the vacancy, prompting the Election Commission of India to announce bypolls for three assembly constituencies, including Datia.
The political fallout from the ticket snub extended beyond the violent protests. Reports indicate that nearly 300 BJP office-bearers, ranging from district to panchayat levels, resigned from their posts in solidarity with Narottam Mishra. Some workers were even seen threatening self-harm, demanding that the party reconsider its decision. This internal dissent highlights significant factionalism within the local BJP unit.
Hours after the protests began, Narottam Mishra himself publicly appealed to his supporters to maintain peace and order. He emphasized that the party's decision should be respected and any grievances should be addressed through appropriate internal party forums rather than through violent public demonstrations. Ashutosh Tiwari, the newly announced BJP candidate, also sought to ease tensions, referring to Mishra as a senior leader and expressing confidence in his guidance and support for the bypoll.
The situation in Datia remained tense, with additional police forces deployed to restore order and Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) invoked to prohibit gatherings and protests. The incident underscores the intense political competition and the high stakes involved in by-elections, particularly when veteran leaders are sidelined. The events in Datia reflect a significant internal challenge for the BJP in Madhya Pradesh as it prepares for the crucial bypoll.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Narottam Mishra's supporters protest in Datia?
Supporters of senior BJP leader Narottam Mishra protested in Datia because the BJP denied him a ticket for the upcoming assembly by-election, instead choosing Ashutosh Tiwari as its candidate. Mishra was reportedly expecting the ticket and had been actively campaigning.
Who is Ashutosh Tiwari, the BJP candidate for the Datia bypoll?
Ashutosh Tiwari is an organizational leader of the BJP from Sevda town in Datia. He was announced as the party's candidate for the Datia assembly by-election, a decision that led to protests from Narottam Mishra's supporters.
What was the impact of the protests in Datia?
The protests led to the blocking of National Highway-44 for nearly 11-12 hours, causing massive traffic jams. It also resulted in violent clashes where protesters pelted stones at police, injuring over six personnel, including the Datia SP, and damaging vehicles.
Why is a by-election being held in the Datia assembly constituency?
A by-election is being held in Datia because the sitting Congress MLA, Rajendra Bharti, was disqualified after being sentenced to three years' imprisonment in a cheating case in April 2026. This conviction created a vacancy in the assembly seat.
What was Narottam Mishra's reaction to the violent protests by his supporters?
Narottam Mishra appealed to his supporters to remain calm and avoid violent acts. He stated that the party's decision should be respected and that any grievances should be raised through the appropriate internal party forums.