Supporters of veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Narottam Mishra clashed with police and blocked a major highway in Datia district on Saturday after the party denied him a ticket for the upcoming Madhya Pradesh bypoll. According to officials, Datia Superintendent of Police and several other officers were injured before security forces cleared the highway and arrested some agitators.
Incident Details
The protest erupted shortly after the BJP released its list of candidates for the bypoll, which did not include Mishra’s name. Mishra, a former minister and prominent Brahmin face in the state, had been widely expected to contest from the Datia seat. His supporters, angered by the snub, gathered in large numbers near the Datia police station and later moved onto the national highway, blocking traffic for several hours.
Police attempted to disperse the crowd using mild force, but the situation escalated when agitators allegedly pelted stones at officers. “The Datia SP and some other personnel sustained injuries during the clash. We have registered a case and arrested several individuals for unlawful assembly and assault on public servants,” a senior police official said. The highway was cleared after additional forces were deployed, and traffic resumed by evening.
Political Reactions
The incident has sparked a political row, with opposition Congress accusing the BJP of internal factionalism. “This shows the deep discontent within the BJP. Mishra is a loyal party worker, and denying him a ticket has led to this chaos,” said state Congress spokesperson Pankaj Chaturvedi. The BJP, however, maintained that the ticket distribution was based on merit and winnability. “The party has full faith in its candidates. Any protest by a few overzealous supporters is unfortunate but will not affect the election process,” said state BJP media cell head Ashish Agrawal.
Mishra himself has not commented on the incident, but sources close to him said he was “disappointed” with the decision. He is expected to address his supporters later this week. The bypoll is scheduled for August 2026, and the BJP has fielded a relatively new face from Datia, prompting speculation about internal power struggles.
Impact and Aftermath
The highway blockade caused significant inconvenience to commuters, with vehicles stranded for over three hours. Authorities have heightened security in the district to prevent further unrest. The bypoll is seen as a crucial test for the BJP government led by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, especially after recent electoral setbacks in other states. Mishra’s supporters have threatened to continue their agitation if the party does not reconsider its decision.
