Overview
- The BJP chose Ashutosh Tiwari as its Datia bypoll candidate, a decision that sidelined six-time MLA Narottam Mishra and drew sharp local backlash.
- Supporters of Mishra blocked National Highway-44 for about 11–12 hours and clashed with police in protests over the ticket denial, leaving several officers injured and prompting detentions.
- On Monday, Tiwari filed his nomination in Datia in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, state BJP chief Hemant Khandelwal, and Narottam Mishra, who stood on stage with party leaders.
- Mishra became visibly emotional while addressing workers and vowed to campaign door-to-door for Tiwari, saying he would camp in the constituency from July 16 to secure the party’s victory.
- The bypoll, set for July 30 after Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti’s disqualification, has drawn sustained central and state-level management of BJP organisation and could affect local power dynamics if the outcome shifts party influence in Madhya Pradesh.