Supporters Block National Highway 44 After Narottam Mishra Denied BJP Ticket for Datia Bypoll
Supporters of former Madhya Pradesh minister Narottam Mishra blocked National Highway 44 in Datia district on Saturday after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) denied him a ticket for the upcoming assembly bypoll. The protest led to a traffic jam stretching several kilometers, prompting police deployment to control the situation.
Background of the Bypoll and Ticket Denial
The bypoll for the Datia assembly seat was necessitated after the sitting BJP MLA, Rajendra Bharti, passed away. Narottam Mishra, a prominent Brahmin face and former home minister of Madhya Pradesh, had been widely expected to receive the party ticket. However, the BJP leadership instead fielded a different candidate, triggering anger among Mishra's supporters.
According to sources within the party, Mishra had been lobbying for the ticket for months, but the BJP high command decided to give the opportunity to another candidate, possibly to maintain internal balance or reward other loyalists. The decision has led to a public display of dissent, rare in the tightly disciplined party.
Details of the Protest
On Saturday morning, hundreds of Mishra's supporters gathered near the Datia town and blocked NH-44, a major artery connecting Delhi to southern India. They shouted slogans against the party leadership and demanded that Mishra be given the ticket. The blockade caused significant disruption, with vehicles stranded for hours.
Police personnel were deployed to the spot to prevent any untoward incident. Senior police officials, including the Superintendent of Police of Datia, reached the site and held talks with the protesters. "We are trying to pacify the crowd and clear the highway. No violence has been reported so far," said a police officer on duty.
Reactions from Political Circles
Narottam Mishra himself has not made any public statement regarding the protest. However, his close aides indicated that he is disappointed with the party's decision. "He has served the party for decades and was expecting to contest the bypoll. The denial has hurt his sentiments," said a supporter who did not wish to be named.
Political analysts see this as a test for the BJP's organizational strength in the Bundelkhand region. "Mishra has a strong hold over the Brahmin community in the area. If the party fails to manage this dissent, it could impact its performance in the bypoll," said a political commentator from Bhopal.
Impact on the Bypoll Campaign
The bypoll is crucial for the BJP, which currently holds the Datia seat. The party has fielded a candidate who is relatively less known compared to Mishra. The Congress, on the other hand, is looking to capitalize on the internal rift within the BJP. Congress state spokesperson said, "The BJP's internal feud is now out in the open. This will benefit our candidate in the bypoll."
The Election Commission has not yet announced the date for the bypoll, but it is expected to be held within the next few months. The BJP has started its campaign, but the protest has forced the party to focus on damage control.
Police Action and Resolution
By late afternoon, the police managed to partially clear the highway after persuading the protesters to move to the side. However, a small group continued to sit on the road, demanding that the party reverse its decision. "We will continue our protest until Mishra ji is given the ticket. This is a matter of respect for our leader," said a protester.
The district administration has issued a warning of legal action if the blockade continues. "We have registered a case against unknown protesters for unlawful assembly and obstructing traffic. Further action will be taken if needed," said a police official.
Broader Implications for BJP in Madhya Pradesh
The incident highlights the growing factionalism within the Madhya Pradesh BJP, where several senior leaders have been sidelined in ticket distribution. The party is preparing for the next state assembly elections in 2028, and such internal conflicts could weaken its base. The leadership in Delhi is closely monitoring the situation and may intervene to pacify Mishra.
Narottam Mishra has been a loyalist of the BJP for over three decades and has held several key portfolios in the state government. His denial of a ticket has surprised many within the party. Some speculate that this could lead to him leaving the BJP, though no such indication has been given yet.
