Massive protests erupted in Madhya Pradesh's Datia after the BJP denied former state Home Minister Narottam Mishra a ticket for the upcoming Assembly bypoll, prompting thousands of his supporters to block National Highway-44 for nearly 12 hours and clash with police.
The BJP on Friday named Ashutosh Tiwari as its candidate for the July 30 bypoll, overlooking Mishra, who had contested and lost the Datia seat in the 2023 Assembly elections. The decision triggered widespread anger among his supporters, many of whom had expected the senior leader to return to the electoral fray.
According to officials, more than 3,000 protesters blocked NH-44, disrupted traffic, attempted to shut markets and allegedly pelted stones at police personnel when asked to clear the highway.
Datia Collector Swapnil Wankhede said repeated appeals to end the blockade went unheeded, forcing police to use tear gas shells to disperse the crowd. The violence left Datia Superintendent of Police Mayur Khandelwal, several senior officers and at least six other policemen injured. Protesters also damaged police and private vehicles.
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SP Khandelwal said the administration had tried to persuade demonstrators to disperse, citing the enforcement of the Model Code of Conduct ahead of the bypoll. However, the protesters allegedly resorted to stone-pelting, prompting police action. Several people were detained, and authorities warned of strict action against those involved in violence.
One protester declared that the agitation would continue until "Narottam Dada" was given the BJP ticket, adding that supporters were prepared to quit the party if their demand was ignored.
The unrest also exposed signs of discontent within the local BJP unit. Following the announcement of Tiwari's candidature, several party office-bearers, including the district president and local corporators, reportedly resigned in protest.
The Datia bypoll was necessitated after Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti was disqualified following his conviction and three-year sentence in a cheating case by a Delhi court earlier this year. Although Bharti later secured bail, his disqualification led to the Election Commission announcing a by-election.
Polling for the Datia Assembly seat will be held on July 30, alongside bypolls in one Assembly constituency each in Bihar and Gujarat. Counting of votes is scheduled for August 3.
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