Datia bypoll: CM Mohan Yadav, Narottam Mishra rally behind BJP's Ashutosh Tiwari
Synopsis
The Datia bypoll has become a test of BJP's internal discipline as much as electoral strength. Narottam Mishra — denied the ticket — stood beside the party's chosen candidate at nomination filing, and has now been named a star campaigner, a twin move designed to keep a simmering fault line from cracking open before 30 July.
Key Takeaways
BJP 's Ashutosh Tiwari and Congress 's Ghanshyam Singh filed nominations on 13 July for the Datia Assembly by-election in Madhya Pradesh .
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and former Home Minister Narottam Mishra accompanied Tiwari at his nomination filing.
Mishra , who was denied the BJP ticket, has been included in the party's star campaigner list alongside Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Jyotiraditya Scindia .
Former CM Digvijaya Singh and state Congress president Jitu Patwari backed Ghanshyam Singh 's filing.
The seat fell vacant after Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti was disqualified under the Representation of the People Act .
Polling is on 30 July ; vote counting on 3 August .
BJP candidate Ashutosh Tiwari and Congress nominee Ghanshyam Singh filed their nomination papers on Monday, 13 July for the Datia Assembly by-election in Madhya Pradesh, with both parties staging separate roadshows to demonstrate political strength ahead of the 30 July poll. The contest has drawn senior leadership from both sides, underscoring the seat's symbolic importance for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
BJP Projects Unity at Nomination Filing
Ashutosh Tiwari filed his papers in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, BJP state president Hemant Khandelwal, and former Home Minister Narottam Mishra — a carefully choreographed display of party cohesion. The gathering was notable given that Mishra himself had been passed over for the ticket, a decision that had sparked visible discontent among a section of local BJP workers and office-bearers in Datia.
Tiwari directly acknowledged the senior leader's influence in his remarks after filing. 'I have learnt a lot in politics from Narottam Mishra ji. He is like my elder brother. I seek the blessings and support of every BJP worker and the people of Datia. Together, we will ensure the BJP's victory,' Tiwari said.
Congress Fields Ghanshyam Singh with Opposition Backing
Ghanshyam Singh submitted his nomination alongside former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh, state Congress president Jitu Patwari, Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar, former MLA Rajendra Bharti, and Samajwadi Party's Madhya Pradesh president Manoj Yadav. The multi-party presence signals an opposition attempt to consolidate anti-incumbency votes.
Singh struck a confident note after filing, arguing that resentment within BJP ranks over Mishra's exclusion would translate into votes for the Congress. Whether that internal friction materialises into a meaningful vote shift remains to be seen.
Mishra Included in BJP Star Campaigner List
In a move widely read as an attempt to contain dissent, the BJP released its proposed list of star campaigners that prominently features Narottam Mishra alongside Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, former Chief Minister and Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Union Ministers Jyotiraditya Scindia and Virendra Kumar Khatik, former BJP state president Vishnu Dutt Sharma, Deputy Chief Ministers Jagdish Devda and Rajendra Shukla, and senior ministers Prahlad Patel, Kailash Vijayvargiya, and Rakesh Singh.
Mishra's inclusion on the campaign roster, despite being denied the candidacy, is a deliberate signal that the party wants him publicly invested in the outcome — neutralising a potential fault line before it widens.
Why the Datia Seat Fell Vacant
The by-election was necessitated after sitting Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti was disqualified under the Representation of the People Act. Bharti was present at Singh's nomination filing, a visible reminder of the circumstances that triggered the contest.
Key Dates and What Comes Next
With nominations closed on 13 July, scrutiny of papers is scheduled for 14 July, and candidates may withdraw until 16 July. Polling is set for 30 July and vote counting will take place on 3 August. The result will be closely watched as a gauge of BJP's hold on Madhya Pradesh after its emphatic state election victory, and of the Congress's ability to exploit intra-party tensions in the ruling bloc.
Point of View
The Congress is banking less on its own strength and more on BJP self-inflicted wounds. In a seat that fell vacant because of a disqualification, not a natural vacancy, the narrative of institutional accountability could cut both ways — and neither party seems keen to press that point too hard.
NationPress
13 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Datia Assembly by-election being held?
The Datia by-election was necessitated after sitting Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti was disqualified under the Representation of the People Act. With the seat vacant, a bypoll was scheduled for 30 July 2025.
Who are the main candidates in the Datia bypoll?
The two principal candidates are BJP's Ashutosh Tiwari and Congress's Ghanshyam Singh. Both filed their nomination papers on 13 July, the last date for submissions.
Why is Narottam Mishra's role in the Datia bypoll significant?
Narottam Mishra was widely expected to contest the seat but was denied the BJP ticket, triggering protests among local party workers. His presence at Tiwari's nomination filing and inclusion in the star campaigner list is the BJP's attempt to project unity and prevent dissenting votes from drifting to the Congress.
What is the Congress's strategy in Datia?
The Congress is fielding Ghanshyam Singh and is banking on resentment within BJP ranks over Mishra's exclusion. Former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh and state Congress president Jitu Patwari attended the nomination filing, signalling high-level party investment in the seat.
What are the key dates for the Datia bypoll?
Nomination scrutiny is on 14 July, the withdrawal deadline is 16 July, polling is on 30 July, and vote counting is scheduled for 3 August 2025.
