Datia By-Election: BJP's Narottam Mishra Eyes End To 2.5-Year Exile As Party Hints At His Candidature

Datia By-Election: The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday announced a by-election for the Datia Assembly constituency. Voting is set to take place on July 30, while the results will be declared on August 3.

The seat fell vacant following the disqualification of Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti over financial irregularities, Naidunia reported.

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Datia By-Election: Will It Mark The Comeback Of Narottam Mishra?

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Home Minister Narottam Mishra has emerged as a frontrunner, with the party signalling that Mishra will contest the upcoming Datia by-election.

Following his defeat in the 2023 Assembly elections, this by-poll offers Mishra an opportunity to end his political exile. A victory would not only mark his return to politics but would also significantly revive and strengthen his stature within the Madhya Pradesh BJP government and organisation.

Congress Sees Tussle Over Ticket

Meanwhile, internal friction is underway within the Congress party over ticket distribution for the seat. While the names of several local leaders are under consideration, a discussion has emerged surrounding the name of disqualified MLA Rajendra Bharti's son. Bharti had won the seat in the election by defeating BJP veteran Narottam Mishra.

The Datia assembly seat fell vacant after the Madhya Pradesh Assembly disqualified Bharti following his three-year prison sentence by a special MP-MLA court in Delhi.

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Narottam Mishra Begins Preparation In Datia

Mishra has already begun preparations in Datia. Following his defeat in the 2023 elections, which several attribute to internal friction and public dissatisfaction over certain issues, Mishra is focusing his efforts on reaching out to dissatisfied party workers and various community groups.

Mishra is considered a prominent Hindutva face and a troubleshooter within the state BJP. His potential victory is viewed by party sources as a turning point that could reshuffle political equations within both the state government and the organisation.

(With Inputs From Naidunia)