Datia Assembly bypoll in Madhya Pradesh sees BJP and Congress rally on nomination day
The Datia assembly seat in Madhya Pradesh became vacant after Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti was disqualified following a fraud conviction. The Election Commission scheduled polling for July 30, with counting on August 3.
On the last day of nominations, July 13, BJP candidate Ashutosh Tiwari filed his papers in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, senior BJP leaders Narottam Mishra and state president Hemant Khandelwal. The party held a large rally, emphasizing unity after Mishra’s supporters had blocked National Highway‑44 in protest over his ticket denial.
Congress nominated veteran politician Kunwar Ghanshyam Singh, with Congress state president Jitu Patwari predicting a 25,000‑vote victory. Patwari, along with leaders Digvijaya Singh, Umang Singhar and other senior figures, attended the nomination event.
Both parties staged extensive “power‑display” rallies, stressing development and party cohesion ahead of the by‑poll, which is being watched as a litmus test for state politics.