The stage is set for a significant electoral battle as both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Congress candidates submitted their nomination papers on Monday, July 13, 2026, for the impending by-election in Madhya Pradesh’s Datia Assembly constituency. This event saw key state leaders representing their parties accompany the candidates, signaling the contest’s high stakes.
BJP’s Ashutosh Tiwari, making his electoral debut, filed his nomination at the Datia district collector’s office. He was supported by prominent figures including Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, State BJP chief Hemant Khandelwal, and party’s State in-charge Mahendra Singh. Notably, former State Home Minister Narottam Mishra, who has served Datia for three terms, also participated, following recent protests from his supporters after his exclusion from the candidate selection.
Candidates’ Backgrounds and Election Context
On the opposing side, Congress candidate Ghanshyam Singh, a former MLA from the neighboring Sewda constituency, submitted his nomination accompanied by senior party leaders such as the Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly, Umang Singhar, and senior MLA Phool Singh Baraiya.
July 13 marked the final day for nomination submissions, with polling scheduled for July 30 and the vote counting set for August 3. The stakes are high for both parties, particularly as the seat became vacant following the disqualification of Congress’ Rajendra Bharti, who faced legal troubles resulting in his removal from the Assembly.
Emotional Appeal and Political Maneuvering
During a recent rally, Mr. Mishra expressed deep emotion while countering claims of internal conflict within the BJP. He announced, “From [July] 16, I will camp right here myself. Nobody should be under the impression that any worker will sit at home. Together with all the workers, I will bow my head at every single doorstep in Datia. I will visit every single village and ensure Ashutosh’s victory,” he stated with palpable fervor, after which party leaders consoled him.
Chief Minister Yadav referred to Tiwari as a “younger brother” to Mishra, urging him to take charge of ensuring victory in this crucial election. He posited that the upcoming session would also focus on the Uniform Civil Code, a contentious issue that he suggested the Congress is evading.
Criticism and Counterarguments
In response to BJP’s actions, Congress president Jitu Patwari criticized the party’s tactics regarding Bharti’s disqualification, asserting that it disrespects the public mandate. “The public gave the government a mandate to serve, not for the politics of vendetta and revenge. This insult to the people of Datia will be confronted with a democratic response,” Patwari claimed during his rally.
The constituency has transformed into a prestige battleground for both major parties. The BJP leadership is working diligently towards presenting a united front, particularly to soothe the discontent among Mishra’s supporters, aiming to secure Tiwari’s victory.
Conversely, Congress aims to reclaim a seat that symbolizes a significant win over a powerful BJP figure. Singh, who comes from the former royal family of Datia, may leverage his local influence to sway the impending election in his favor. He remarked, “Narottam Mishra-ji’s ticket being cut has changed the equations. The dissatisfaction seen on the streets has increased so much that those wounds cannot be healed now. No matter how much they say for show, many of their own people will work to defeat the BJP. 100 percent of Congress is winning. There is no doubt about it,” indicating a confident stance ahead of the polls.
