There is a huge uproar in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regarding the Datia Assembly by-election in Madhya Pradesh. The party did not give ticket to former Home Minister Narottam Mishra and fielded youth leader Ashutosh Tiwari in his place, which angered Mishra’s supporters. Protesting the party’s decision, BJP workers blocked the Datia National Highway late last night – though it was later lifted. Police removed activists from the road; According to reports, lathicharge was also done on BJP workers. Police dispersed the protesters and released tear gas shells.
BJP workers in Datia allege that bombs are being thrown at the local party office and violence is being instigated. He claims that the police are behaving brutally and have locked him inside the office. Supporters of Narottam Mishra have called for boycotting Ashutosh Tiwari and accused the party of ignoring its workers.
**More than 50 BJP workers injured**
According to the information received so far, more than 50 BJP workers were injured during the police action. It is alleged that the policemen opened fire on the women and misbehaved with them, and also abused the workers. It is also alleged that the Superintendent of Police (SP) himself misbehaved with the protesters. BJP workers are also angry with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and claim that these incidents are happening at his behest. They are questioning why he is campaigning for a candidate he doesn’t even know; He told that even while singing the hymns of Lord Ram at 5:00 in the morning, he was beaten up.
**What did DM Swapnil Wankhede say?**
Meanwhile, Datia District Magistrate (DM) Swapnil Wankhede said that the jam caused by BJP workers was causing a lot of trouble to the common people. The 20 kilometer long traffic jam continued for 11 hours, leaving buses loaded with women and children stranded. The officers tried to calm the crowd until 4:00 in the morning, but stone pelting began; In response to this, policemen had to release tear gas shells. The District Magistrate (DM) said that he also suffered injuries; Superintendent of Police (SP) and others were also injured. A total of eight policemen were injured. The DM rejected any claims of lathicharge and said that no such action was taken. He said party workers were still inside; If they come out one by one then there is no problem, but if they come out in large numbers, the administration will deal with the situation strictly. The administration is not concerned with who gets the election ticket; His job is only to conduct elections.
‘We want tickets for “Dada” in Datia’
Women BJP workers claim that the police administration is misbehaving with them. They allege that the police overturned the vehicle, while officials claim that the workers did so. She raises questions as to how women can face such ill-treatment in the BJP government. She is demanding ticket from Datia constituency to “Dada” and says he is being sent to jail for fighting for their leader.
officials resigned en masse
In protest against this decision, BJP district president Raghuveer Singh Kushwaha along with several other office bearers tendered mass resignation. He called this decision one-sided and an insult to the party workers. Meanwhile, his supporters took to the streets in protest.
Angered by Narottam Mishra not getting the ticket, District President Raghuveer Singh registered his protest by writing a letter to BJP leaders Nitin Naveen and Hemant Khandelwal. He announced mass resignation including all office bearers, District Panchayat President and other members, which created panic in the party.
Mass resignation of Datia BJP unit
Datia BJP district president Raghuvir Singh Kushwaha said in his letter that after discussing with all the party workers and office-bearers, he has come to the conclusion that the party’s decision regarding the upcoming Datia assembly by-election was one-sided and the party workers were ignored. “I, the District Panchayat President, Janpad Panchayat President, Datia Municipal Council President and Vice-President, Barauni Panchayat President and Vice-President, Presidents of six mandals and morchas of Datia Assembly Constituency, all councilors of Datia and Barauni, and all office bearers including Presidents of all 291 booths and members of the Executive Committee of Datia Assembly Constituency – do hereby collectively resign from their respective responsibilities.”
**Demand for not making Narottam Mishra a candidate**
He warned the party that if Narottam Mishra was not declared the candidate within 24 hours, he would resign from the primary membership of the party and oppose the party with full force. This letter of Raghuveer Kushwaha has created a stir in BJP. Party workers have started raising slogans against BJP’s current candidate Ashutosh Tiwari, which has further increased the party’s troubles. Due to the rebellion of these leaders, BJP’s problems seem to be increasing in Datia. As a result, the party faces the dual challenge of defeating the Congress in the elections and resolving this internal dispute. It remains to be seen whether the BJP will change its decision and make Narottam Mishra its candidate.
