Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): BJP candidate for the Datia Assembly bypoll, Ashutosh Tiwari, filed his nomination papers on Monday in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and former Home Minister Narottam Mishra-- whose name was much anticipated for the byelections.
Mishra's presence was significant, especially after he was denied the party ticket and the BJP fielded Ashutosh Tiwari instead.
Narottam Mishra breaks into tears
Narottam Mishra extended full support to Tiwari. Briefing media, he said, "16 tarik se swayam yahin pe dera jamayenge, sare karyakartaon ke sath mein... Datia ke ek-ek darwaje par apna sheesh nawaunga, ek-ek gaon ke andar jaunga aur Ashutosh ko jitaunga..." (From the 16th onwards, I will camp here along with all the party workers. I will bow my head at every doorstep in Datia, visit every village, and ensure Ashutosh's victory.)
As he concluded his remarks, the former minister broke into tears. A video of his speech surfaced on social media and went viral on Monday.
Massive protest staged in Datia 2 days ago
The nomination was filed two days after a massive protest was staged by supporters of Narottam Mishra in the Datia constituency.
As many as 8 police personnel were injured after supporters of former minister Narottam Mishra blocked NH-44 for nearly 11 hours to protest the BJP's decision to deny him the Datia bypoll ticket on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday.
The blockade caused a 20-25km traffic jam across Datia, Jhansi, Shivpuri and Gwalior, leaving buses and ambulances stranded before it ended early on Saturday.
Mishra pacifies supporters
However, as news of the protests broke, Mishra defended the party's decision and urged his supporters to stop the violence.
Speaking to the media, Mishra said, "This is the party's decision. I urge all party workers, especially after seeing videos of workers pouring petrol or kerosene, not to engage in such activities."
He added, "Within the party forum, views are expressed in an appropriate manner. They are not conveyed in this fashion."
Congress candidate Ghanshyam Singh also files nomination
Congress candidate and former MLA Ghanshyam Singh filed his nomination for the Datia Assembly bypoll on Monday, accompanied by senior Congress leaders Jitu Patwari, Umang Singhar and Digvijaya Singh.
The party claimed that internal BJP discontent over denying a ticket to former minister Narottam Mishra would work in the Congress' favour.
Ashutosh Tiwari slams Jitu Patwari's claims of victory
BJP candidate Ashutosh Tiwari dismissed the Congress' victory claims in the Datia Assembly bypoll, saying the BJP faces 'no competition' in the constituency.
Targeting Congress leaders Jitu Patwari and Digvijaya Singh, Tiwari asserted that the election campaign in Datia is focused solely on development and progress.
