Bhopal/Datia: Before the Datia Assembly by-election in Madhya Pradesh, the sounds of rebellion in the BJP have intensified. The party has fielded a new candidate by cancelling the ticket of former Home Minister Dr Narottam Mishra. After this, his supporters took to the streets on Friday evening. Supporters blocked National Highway-44, i.e., the Jhansi-Gwalior Highway.
During the demonstration, slogans were raised against the BJP leadership. At some places, there was a scuffle between the police and the supporters. Seeing the situation worsening, the police had to call additional forces.
Why did the supporters get angry when the tickets were cut?
BJP has given a ticket to Ashutosh Tiwari in place of Dr Narottam Mishra for the Datia by-election. Ashutosh Tiwari has previously been the Divisional Organisation Minister and Chairman of the Madhya Pradesh Housing Board. Mishra supporters were surprised by this decision of the party. He says that Dr Narottam Mishra had been working in the field for many years. He was also preparing for the elections. Angered by the sudden change of ticket, the workers came on the road.
What happened during the protest?
Supporters blocked NH-44. Due to this, there was a long queue of vehicles for several kilometres. The demonstration gradually turned violent. When the police arrived to disperse the crowd, a scuffle started. According to some media reports, stone pelting also took place during this period. To control the crowd, the police had to release tear gas shells. Some police officers were also injured in this clash.
Was the nomination process affected?
Due to the road jam and uproar, BJP candidate Ashutosh Tiwari could not file his nomination on time. The administration has said that the nomination process will be completed after the situation becomes normal. The last date for nomination for the Datia by-election is still pending.
Why is the Datia seat important for the BJP?
Datia is considered a stronghold of the BJP. Dr Narottam Mishra has been elected MLA from here several times. He also held a big post like Home Minister in the Shivraj government. But in the 2023 assembly elections, he was defeated by Congress’s Rajendra Bharti. After the announcement of the by-election, it was believed that Mishra would return. But at the last moment, the party gave a new face, due to which resentment spread among the workers.
What will happen next now?
Political experts say that the biggest challenge before the BJP is to convince its own workers. If the resentment does not go away, the opposition may benefit from it. The opposition is calling it an internal division of the BJP.
At present, no official statement has come from the big leaders of the party on this matter. The local organisation is appealing to the workers to maintain peace.
