Narottam Mishra Vows Door-to-Door Campaign for BJP in Datia

New Delhi, India Jul 14, 2026 ALN: Three days after being denied the BJP ticket for the July 30 Datia Assembly by-election, former Madhya Pradesh minister Narottam Mishra turned emotional while addressing a party meeting ahead of the filing of nomination papers by the BJP's candidate, Ashutosh Tiwari.

“The party (BJP) has given me a lot. I was a legislator for 30 years (from Dabra and Datia) and minister in the state government for 15 years. What more can I expect from the party? No party worker will sit back at home; every worker will put heart and soul to ensure party candidate Ashutosh Tiwari’s victory in the July 30 by-election,” a tearful Mishra said while addressing the nomination rally in Datia district on Monday.

“From July 16, I’ll camp right here (in Datia) myself. Together with all the workers, I’ll bow my head in respect at every single doorstep in Datia. I will visit every single village. I will ensure Ashutosh’s victory,” the three-time former MLA added.

Among those present on the stage were Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, state BJP president Hemant Khandelwal, and party candidate Tiwari. Their presence underscored the party leadership's support for Tiwari, despite the recent tensions surrounding Mishra's ticket denial.

A day earlier, while in the national capital, Mishra had expressed his unwavering loyalty to the BJP, stating, “He was born (as a politician) in the BJP and will die in the same party. Every decision of the party will be respected by me and all other BJP workers in Datia, and we’ll work for the victory of the party candidate in the by-election.” This statement reflects the complex dynamics within the BJP, where loyalty to the party is often emphasized, even in the face of personal disappointment.

Taking a jibe at state Congress president Jitu Patwari and former Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh, the BJP leader said, “They (Singh and Patwari) say I was ahankari (arrogant), so I lost the 2023 elections (from Datia) by 7,500-plus votes. Singh lost the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in Bhopal by more than 3.5 lakh votes, while Patwari lost the Rau Assembly seat in the 2023 elections by more than 35,500 votes, so they became sanskari (cultured).” Mishra's remarks highlight the competitive nature of political discourse in Madhya Pradesh, where personal attacks are common as parties vie for electoral advantage.

“There is still time left for filing nominations on the last day today; I dare Jitu Patwari to fill the nomination form himself and contest the by-polls against our candidate. The results will establish who is ahankari (arrogant) and who is sanskari (cultured),” he added. This challenge underscores the ongoing rivalry between the BJP and Congress, particularly in regions like Datia, where political allegiances run deep.

Responding to the Congress's claim that the BJP was divided in Datia after he was denied the ticket, Mishra said, “What about the Congress? Is it really united in Datia? If it's actually united in Datia, why didn’t senior leader Avdhesh Naik accompany the party’s candidate (Kunwar Ghanshyam Singh) for filing nomination today? Why was Rajendra Bharti (the 2023 winner and disqualified MLA) standing outside the office where the Congress candidate submitted his nomination form?” This statement reflects a broader strategy employed by political leaders to question the unity and effectiveness of their opponents, particularly when internal dissent is visible.

Describing the contest between Congress candidate Kunwar Ghanshyam Singh, who hails from the erstwhile Datia royal family, and BJP candidate Ashutosh Tiwari as a battle between "Raja Vs Runk (King Vs Pauper)," Mishra said every BJP worker in Datia would ensure Tiwari’s victory. This metaphor not only highlights the perceived class distinctions in the electoral battle but also serves to galvanize the BJP's base by framing the election in dramatic terms.

“The Congress is spreading a narrative about the Raja (their candidate) being very sweet and gentle. Always remember, he is just like the expired homeopathic medicine, which is very sweet but ineffective,” he said. Such colorful language is typical in political rallies, where candidates aim to engage their audience with memorable phrases that encapsulate their views on opponents.

On Friday evening, shortly after the BJP denied a ticket to Mishra — who won the seat in 2008, 2013, and 2018 before losing in 2023 — violent protests erupted in Datia by BJP workers loyal to Mishra. The protesters blocked National Highway 44 (Gwalior-Jhansi Highway) for more than 11 hours and pelted stones at police on Saturday morning, injuring eight police personnel. Led by district BJP president Raghuveer Singh Kushwaha, senior office-bearers of the ruling party offered to resign in protest against the denial of a ticket to Mishra. This unrest points to the potential fractures within the BJP's local leadership and the challenges the party may face in maintaining cohesion as it approaches the by-election.

According to BJP sources, the developments in Datia from Friday evening to Saturday morning did not go down well with the party's state and central leadership. The violent protests and public dissent could have implications for the party's image and electoral prospects in the region. Mishra subsequently traveled to Bhopal to meet senior state BJP leaders, including CM Yadav, on Saturday, and was in New Delhi on Sunday, where he was unable to meet any national BJP leaders. His attempts to engage with higher party officials may indicate concerns about his future within the party and the need to mitigate any fallout from the protests.

Mishra, however, claimed he had traveled to Delhi for reasons other than meeting the BJP leadership. This assertion may serve to downplay any potential repercussions for his earlier protests and to reaffirm his commitment to the party, even in the face of personal disappointment.

Sources said the possibility of disciplinary action against Mishra and his supporters may have prompted his visits to Bhopal and Delhi, as well as his public endorsement of the party's candidate. The internal dynamics of the BJP in Madhya Pradesh are indicative of broader trends in regional politics, where loyalty and dissent can significantly impact electoral outcomes. As the July 30 by-election approaches, the actions and sentiments of key figures like Mishra will be closely scrutinized, not only for their immediate electoral implications but also for their potential to reshape the political landscape in Datia and beyond.

The Datia Assembly by-election is set against a backdrop of changing political fortunes in Madhya Pradesh, where the BJP has historically held a strong presence but has faced challenges in recent elections. The outcome of this by-election could serve as a bellwether for the party's performance in future contests and its ability to maintain its dominance in the state. As both the BJP and Congress mobilize their resources and supporters, the stakes in Datia are high, making it a focal point for political observers and party strategists alike.