Overview
- The BJP announced Ashutosh Tiwari as its Datia candidate on Friday, and senior party leaders said they will not reverse the decision.
- Thousands of Narottam Mishra’s supporters blocked National Highway‑44 for roughly 11 to 12 hours after the announcement, during which protesters pelted stones, police used tear gas, several officers were injured and some demonstrators were detained.
- Narottam Mishra urged calm, said he would respect the party’s choice, and met state leaders while several local BJP office‑bearers submitted resignations that the state leadership says it will not accept.
- The bypoll was triggered by the April conviction and disqualification of Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti; voting is set for July 30 with counting on August 3 and Congress has nominated Ghanshyam Singh.
- Party insiders say the episode exposes a clash between central candidate management and local power networks, and the BJP must secure Mishra’s cooperation and re‑tie local workers to avoid organisational damage ahead of polling.