HighLights
  1. Congress' Ghanshyam Singh won Datia bypoll by 6,016 votes.
  2. BJP denied ticket to Narottam Mishra, causing internal dissent.
  3. Bypoll necessitated after sitting MLA Rajendra Bharti's conviction.

Datia Bypoll 2026: The Congress retained the Datia assembly seat in Madhya Pradesh. It was a prestigious poll battle because of its link to the senior BJP candidate and former state Home Minister Narottam Mishra, who represnted the seat form 2008 to 2023.

Congress candidate Ghanshyam Singh defeated his nearest rival Ashutosh Tiwari of the BJP by 6,016 votes in the byelection. At the end of all 15 rounds of counting, Singh secured 66,757 votes, while Tiwari polled 60,741 votes. At one point, Singh's lead of 12,607 votes over his nearest rival appeared unassailable, but the BJP nominee managed to close the gap to an extent in the last rounds.

We Received More Votes Than Last Time: CM

On Datia bypoll results, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said his party received 1,700 more votes than it did in the last Assembly election. The trust that the public places in us through elections and democracy reflects our own faith in the democratic process, the chief minister said.

"Since the last Assembly election, the Bharatiya Janata Party has won all 29 Lok Sabha seats, marking the first time since independence that the BJP has achieved such a result," he added.

ALSO READ: Who Is Congress' Datia Candidate Ghanshyam Singh? Know His Royal Legacy, Political Journey And Education Qualification

What Necessitated Byelection

The byelection was necessitated after a Delhi court in April this year sentenced sitting Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti to three years' imprisonment in a cheating case, leading to the termination of his Assembly membership. A total of 21 candidates contested the by-election, which saw a healthy 71.44 per cent voter turnout, though the main fight was between Congress' Singh and Tiwari of the ruling BJP.

ALSO READ: 'Will Bow Down At Every Door’: Narottam Mishra Breaks Into Tears In Datia Bypoll Nomination Rally, Makes Emotional Appeal To BJP Workers

Then-Congress nominee Bharti had defeated BJP candidate and former state Home Minister Narottam Mishra in Datia by over 7,700 votes in the 2023 Assembly elections.

Here Are Factors That Might Go Against The BJP

Norottam Mishra: For the by-election, the BJP denied a ticket to Mishra and instead fielded Tiwari. The denail of the ticket to Mishra had created a huge protest against the part. Mishra's supporters had blocked the roads, prompting senior leadership to step in. Later, Mishra softened his stand and extended support to the party candidate, but, till then infighting in the party sent a wrong message to party cardres.

Ashutosh Tiwari: The BJP fielded Tiwari, whose candidature caused heartburn among the supporters of Mishra. Tiwari appearantly failed to convince Mishra's supporters. Tiwari was an organizational leader and contesting elections for the first time. Unlike Mishra, he lacked strong local connections and personal influence.

Low Voter Turnout: The voter turnout was only 71.44 per cent, compared to 80.2 per cent in 2023. Lack of enthusiasm and resentment among BJP supporters is believed to be a major reason for the defeat.

Azad Samaj Party: Azad Samaj Party candidate Damodar Yadav secured third position by bagging 22,527 votes. While the victory margin between the BJP and Congress canddiates was 6,016, which means the ASP made a huge damage to the BJP's prospects.

Caste: Thakur, Kushwaha, and some Scheduled Caste votes swung toward the Congress as the grand old party raised 27 per cent reservation, which also created anger among OBCs.

 


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