Datia bypoll on July 30: Congress cries 'conspiracy' as ECI announces schedule
Synopsis
The ECI's announcement of the Datia bypoll for July 30 has instantly become a flashpoint: Congress is calling its own MLA's criminal disqualification a BJP-engineered conspiracy, while the BJP eyes a chance to reclaim a seat it lost by over 7,700 votes in 2023. With Narottam Mishra potentially back on the ballot, this is a rematch with high stakes for both parties in the pivotal Gwalior-Chambal belt.
Key Takeaways
The Election Commission of India announced the Datia Assembly bypoll for 30 July 2025 , with counting on 3 August .
Rajendra Bharti was disqualified under the Representation of the People Act after conviction in a criminal case, necessitating the bypoll.
In 2023 , Bharti defeated then Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra by 7,742 votes .
Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar alleged the disqualification was a 'conspiracy' involving the BJP and the ECI.
The BJP is reportedly considering fielding Narottam Mishra again to reclaim the seat.
Datia is a key constituency in the politically significant Gwalior-Chambal region of Madhya Pradesh.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday, 3 July 2025, announced a by-election to the Datia Assembly constituency in Madhya Pradesh for 30 July, triggering an immediate political storm as the Indian National Congress (Congress) alleged a 'conspiracy' between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the poll body to unseat its disqualified MLA Rajendra Bharti.
What Triggered the Bypoll
The by-election became necessary after Rajendra Bharti was disqualified under the Representation of the People Act following his conviction in a criminal case. Bharti had won the Datia seat in the 2023 Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections, defeating then state Home Minister Narottam Mishra by a margin of 7,742 votes — ending the BJP veteran's long dominance in the constituency.
ECI Election Schedule
According to the official ECI schedule, nominations will be accepted from 6 to 13 July, with scrutiny on 14 July and the last date for withdrawal set at 16 July. Polling will be held on 30 July and votes will be counted on 3 August.
Congress Alleges Conspiracy
Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar hit back sharply, calling Bharti's disqualification politically motivated. 'The people of Datia elected Rajendra Bharti with a huge majority in 2023. His membership was cancelled after a conspiracy. The BJP is trying to capture the seat through the by-election, but the people will once again place their trust in the Congress,' Singhar said. He also appealed to Congress workers to begin immediate preparations for the contest.
BJP's Likely Counter-Move
The BJP is widely expected to mount a strong bid to reclaim the seat, with speculation that Narottam Mishra — the very candidate Bharti unseated in 2023 — could be fielded again. The party's motivation to win back a constituency it held for years is considerable. Notably, Datia is among the politically significant seats in the Gwalior-Chambal region, a belt that has historically been a battleground for both parties.
What's at Stake
The Datia bypoll is being closely watched as a test of political momentum in Madhya Pradesh. For the Congress, retaining the seat would validate its 2023 performance and reinforce its presence in the Gwalior-Chambal belt. For the BJP, reclaiming Datia would signal a course correction and restore a key ally's political standing. The result on 3 August is likely to reverberate beyond the constituency.
Point of View
Not administrative discretion. What the party is really contesting is the optics: a 2023 winner removed before his term ends hands the BJP a second chance at a seat it lost decisively. The more pointed question is whether Narottam Mishra — a senior BJP figure who suffered a rare personal defeat — can recover in the same constituency just two years later. In Gwalior-Chambal politics, where caste arithmetic and local strongman dynamics run deep, this bypoll is less about the ECI schedule and more about which party can mobilise its base faster in a compressed campaign window.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Datia Assembly bypoll being held?
The Datia bypoll was necessitated by the disqualification of Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti under the Representation of the People Act following his conviction in a criminal case. With the seat vacant, the ECI announced the by-election for 30 July 2025.
What is the full ECI schedule for the Datia bypoll?
Nominations will be accepted from 6 to 13 July, scrutiny is on 14 July, and the last date for withdrawal is 16 July. Polling is scheduled for 30 July and counting of votes will take place on 3 August 2025.
Why is Congress calling the Datia bypoll a 'conspiracy'?
Congress Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar alleged that Rajendra Bharti's disqualification was engineered through a conspiracy involving the BJP and the Election Commission. The party argues Bharti won with a large mandate in 2023 and his removal is politically motivated.
Who is likely to be the BJP candidate in the Datia bypoll?
The BJP has not officially named its candidate, but there is speculation that former Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra — whom Bharti defeated by 7,742 votes in 2023 — could contest again to reclaim the seat.
Why is the Datia constituency politically significant?
Datia is a key Assembly seat in the Gwalior-Chambal region of Madhya Pradesh, a politically sensitive belt that has historically seen intense competition between the BJP and Congress. The bypoll outcome is expected to signal each party's strength ahead of future state-level contests.
