Congress Retains Datiya Seat in Madhya Pradesh By-Election, BJP Faces Setback

BJP's Candidate Change Fails in Datiya

(Lamuell Lal) Bhopal, August 3 - The Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) decision to nominate a new candidate in the Datiya assembly by-election, replacing six-time MLA Narottam Mishra, did not yield the desired results. The Congress party successfully maintained control of the seat, prompting the ruling party to hint at disciplinary actions against those who disregarded central leadership directives. In the by-election, Congress candidate Ghanshyam Singh defeated BJP's Ashutosh Tiwari by a margin of 6,016 votes.

Implications of BJP's Loss

Political analysts suggest that the BJP's defeat in this by-election, held on July 30, signifies more than just the loss of a single assembly seat; it represents a significant blow to the party's organizational structure in Madhya Pradesh. The BJP had chosen Tiwari as the candidate for Datiya instead of Mishra, leading to protests in Mishra's home district following the decision.

Mishra's Political Journey

Throughout his extensive political career, Mishra has won assembly elections three times from Dabra (Gwalior) and three times from Datiya. His supporters staged a major highway blockade in Datiya for over 12 hours on July 10 and 11, resulting in property damage and clashes with police, injuring several officers, including the district police superintendent.

Internal Party Dynamics

According to party insiders, this was the first instance in a long time where there was open dissent against the central leadership's candidate selection in Madhya Pradesh. They noted that while the state unit had proposed Mishra's name, Tiwari was ultimately chosen based on internal surveys and feedback. Mishra's supporters were discontented, as he had been campaigning in the area for weeks and anticipated being nominated again for the Datiya seat.

Previous Election Context

In the 2023 assembly elections, Mishra lost to Congress candidate Rajendra Bharti by over 7,000 votes. Despite the protests, Mishra urged his supporters to accept the party's decision and work in favor of the BJP candidate. Political analyst and senior journalist Rakesh Dixit remarked that the BJP's defeat raises questions about the party's electoral machinery and the role of its workers.

Impact on BJP's Image

Dixit pointed out that not granting a ticket to a prominent leader like Mishra, coupled with the subsequent protests, has tarnished the BJP's image as a disciplined party. He noted that the party's reputation had already suffered by the time the protests subsided. Furthermore, Mishra's emotional appeal during a rally aimed at unifying workers did not resonate with voters.

Congress Gains in Assembly

The results indicate that the Congress candidate received more votes than the BJP even at Mishra's polling station. BJP state president Hemant Khandelwal stated that the party would review the mandate and take necessary steps prioritizing discipline based on the findings. He emphasized, 'Discipline is paramount for the BJP.'

Current Legislative Landscape

Following this victory, the number of Congress legislators in the 230-member Madhya Pradesh assembly has increased to 65. The BJP holds 164 seats, while one seat is occupied by the Indian Tribal Party.

Mishra's Influence

Mishra is considered one of the key leaders of the BJP in the Gwalior-Chambal region and has a dedicated support base. The BJP has been in power in Madhya Pradesh since 2003, with the exception of a 15-month gap from December 2018 to March 2020.