Political Activity Intensifies Ahead of Datiya By-Election in Madhya Pradesh
Political Developments in Datiya
As the by-election for the Datiya assembly seat in Madhya Pradesh approaches, political activities are ramping up. Following the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) decision not to issue a ticket, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray faction) has extended an open invitation to former state home minister Narottam Mishra to contest in the Datiya by-election.
Sunil Sharma, the head of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav) in Madhya Pradesh, revealed during a phone conversation that he has sent this proposal to Mishra after discussions with party leadership. According to Sharma, if Mishra accepts the offer, party chief and former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, along with party leader Aaditya Thackeray and other senior leaders, will come to Madhya Pradesh to campaign on his behalf.
Sharma also mentioned that he has instructed Nahar Singh Gaur, the head of the party's IT cell in Madhya Pradesh, to share a video message of the invitation sent to Mishra on social media. Currently, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav) holds 20 seats in the Maharashtra Assembly and three in the Lok Sabha, although six of its Lok Sabha MPs recently joined the ruling faction led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
This proposal from the Shiv Sena (Uddhav) comes just a day after the BJP announced Ashutosh Tiwari as its candidate for the Datiya by-election. The election is scheduled for July 30, and the BJP made the announcement regarding Tiwari's candidacy on Friday.
Supporters of Narottam Mishra, upset over the denial of a ticket, staged strong protests in the area. They blocked national highways, shut down local markets, and locked the BJP's local office. Several police officers were reportedly injured during the ensuing violence. Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh government minister Kailash Vijayvargiya has categorically denied any possibility of changing the BJP candidate.
It is important to note that the by-election for the Datiya assembly seat was necessitated after Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti was convicted in a fraud case and sentenced to three years in prison, leading to the termination of his assembly membership.