The BJP has announced organisational secretary Ashutosh Tiwari as its candidate for the Datia Assembly by-election, replacing former leader Narottam Mishra, a decision that triggers protests in the constituency. Multiple reports say Mishra was widely expected to receive the ticket after he had begun electioneering and purchased a nomination form when the by-election was announced. Following the announcement, Mishra’s supporters stage demonstrations in Datia; some reports describe BJP workers also gathering outside the district party office and shutting down the area’s shops. Protests extend to blocking the Gwalior–Jhansi highway/NH-44, creating a traffic gridlock that lasts for much of the day and disrupts local movement, including buses and ambulances. Officials cited clashes with police in which eight police personnel are injured. BJP leaders defend the ticket decision, with Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya saying the party’s internal selection process is democratic and disciplined workers will unite, and stating that while about 2,000 people may aspire for tickets, not all can be fielded. Mishra supporters accuse the BJP leadership of overlooking him, while the BJP presents Tiwari as a party and RSS-backed choice.
BJP names Ashutosh Tiwari for Datia bypoll, sparking protests and road blocks
The BJP has announced organisational secretary Ashutosh Tiwari as its candidate for the Datia Assembly by-election, replacing former leader Narottam Mishra, a decision that triggers protests in the co...
- The BJP selects Ashutosh Tiwari as its candidate for the Datia Assembly by-election, rather than Narottam Mishra.
- After the announcement, Narottam Mishra’s supporters protest in Datia and block NH-44/Gwalior–Jhansi highway.
- Police report violence during the protests, with eight police personnel injured.
- The road blocks cause long traffic delays and disrupt movement of vehicles, including buses and ambulances.
- BJP leaders defend the decision, with Kailash Vijayvargiya saying internal party decisions are taken after deliberation and not all aspirants can receive tickets.
Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Reacting to the nomination of organisational secretary Ashutosh Tiwari instead of Narottam Mishra for the Datia Assembly bypoll, Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya said around 2,000 people aspire for tickets, but not everyone can get one.Speaking to the media, Vijayvargiya said, “There is democracy within the party, and BJP workers are highly disciplined. Once we sit down and speak with them, everyone will come together. I can predict right now that Ashutosh Tiwari will win by a huge margin.”VIDEO | Indore: Madhya Pradesh Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya on Datia incident, says, "There is democracy within the party, and BJP workers are highly disciplined. Once we sit down and speak with them, everyone will come together. I can predict right now that Ashutosh Tiwari will… pic.twitter.com/qQTjzQNDQp— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 11, 2026 Responding to questions about resentment among Narottam Mishra’s supporters, Vijayvargiya said, “We will take care of that. It is a very small matter for us. The party takes its decisions after careful deliberation, and that is why we will win decisively. Narottam ji will also work for the party. I am saying this today itself. He is a good and senior party worker. Many people prepare to contest elections. There are 230 Assembly seats, and around 2,000 people may aspire for tickets. But not everyone can be given a ticket.”Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh: On BJP leader Narottam Mishra, Candidate from the Datia Assembly Constituency, Ashutosh Tiwari says, "He is a senior member of our family. Naturally, his blessings will always remain with us. There is no possibility of any such thing; there is nothing to… pic.twitter.com/lBYmbqEKM2— IANS (@ians_india) July 10, 2026 Violent protest staged in DatiaAs soon as the nomination of Ashutosh Tiwari was announced on Friday, Narottam Mishra’s supporters staged protests in Datia against the BJP.The protesters also turned violent, injuring eight police personnel during the protest over the denial of a BJP ticket for the Datia Assembly bypoll.According to officials, the NH-44 blockade continued for nearly 11 hours, causing a 20-25 km traffic jam across Datia, Jhansi, Shivpuri and Gwalior districts and disrupting the movement of buses and ambulances.मध्य प्रदेश की दतिया विधानसभा सीट पर उपचुनाव की घोषणा के बाद भारतीय जनता पार्टी (BJP) के भीतर असंतोष खुलकर सामने आया है। पूर्व संभागीय संगठन मंत्री आशुतोष तिवारी को उम्मीदवार बनाए जाने के विरोध में पूर्व गृह मंत्री नरोत्तम मिश्रा के समर्थकों ने प्रदर्शन शुरू कर दिया।दतिया शहर… pic.twitter.com/Hg4ad0Kf6H— State Mirror Hindi (@statemirrornewz) July 11, 2026 Datia Bypoll Protest Turns Violent: Narottam Mishra Supporters Block NH-44 For 11 Hours, Clash With Police; 8 Personnel Injured | VideoMishra had started electioneeringNarottam Mishra was widely expected to receive the BJP ticket for the Datia Assembly bypoll and had begun campaigning after the election was announced.He had purchased a nomination form after losing the 2023 Assembly election to Congress candidate Rajendra Bharti.Mishra, who represented Datia from 2008 to 2018, was denied a ticket, with sources citing his previous defeat and RSS opposition as possible reasons.Datia Bypoll: Narottam Mishra 'Loses' Even Before Poll, Ashutosh Tiwari Gets Ticket
1 hour agoBhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The BJP has taken all political parties by surprise, giving a ticket to former organisational secretary Ashutosh Tiwari instead of Narottam Mishra for the Datia assembly by-poll, but the decision set off protests in Datia on Friday.Thousands of supporters of Mishra staged a protest in Datia after the party denied him a ticket.BJP workers, including women, gathered outside the district party office and blocked the Gwalior-Jhansi Highway, causing a traffic gridlock.Traders also put up their shutters and warned of intensifying protest, including the holding of demonstrations in Bhopal.They said the candidate the BJP fielded was unfamiliar to locals. On the other hand, Tiwari, a choice of the RSS, was the party's organisational secretary in the Bhopal division.When the date for the Datia by-election was announced, everyone was sure that Mishra would get a ticket, and he began electioneering in the constituency.Mishra was holding meetings at different places, and his supporters also swung into action.Mishra bought a nomination form for contesting the election. He lost the Vidhan Sabha election in 2023 to Congress candidate Rajendra Bharti.Before 2023, Mishra won assembly elections from Datia in 2008, 2013, and 2018. The by-election is taking place after Bharti received three years' punishment and lost assembly membership.After the ruling party denied a ticket to Narottam, the Datia by-election has become more interesting than it has been.Mishra has been the sole leader of Datia for 18 years, so by giving a ticket to another leader for the by-election, the BJP has taken a major decision.According to sources, RSS leaders were against giving a ticket to Mishra. His defeat in the previous election is considered another reason for not getting a ticket.Tiwari reaches the BJP office, says Narottam is guardianAfter being declared the BJP candidate from Datia, Ashutosh Tiwari reached the BJP office.Tiwari said, ''Narottam Mishra is a senior leader of the party and my guardian.'' He also expressed gratitude to the party leaders.Resignations, protests rock BJP in Datia Protests intensified in Datia after Ashutosh Tiwari was named the BJP candidate. BJP district president Raghuveer Singh Kushwaha, along with several party office-bearers, has submitted their resignations in protest. All the BJP councillors in the district have also resigned from their posts.Women supporters lay down on the road in protest, while party workers raised slogans against Tiwari.The agitation has also spread to Dabra in Gwalior, where Mishra’s supporters staged demonstrations. Protesters blocked the highway at Haripur, leading to long traffic jams on both sides of the road. Supporters continued to raise slogans against the BJP leadership, demanding that Narottam Mishra be declared the party’s candidate for the Datia Assembly by-election.Bhopal Residents Alarmed As Stray Dog Packs Grow; 80–90 Bite Cases Reported Every Week
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