The Congress has selected former MLA Ghanshyam Singh as its candidate for the Datia Assembly by-election in Madhya Pradesh. This move sets up a direct contest with the BJP’s Ashutosh Tiwari, replacing senior leader Narottam Mishra. Singh, a two-time former MLA from Datia, was officially announced as the Congress’ choice after purchasing nomination papers.
The by-election was necessitated after Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti was disqualified from the Madhya Pradesh Assembly due to a criminal case conviction upheld by the Delhi High Court. Ghanshyam Singh, a senior leader in the Gwalior-Chambal region, has a history of electoral wins in the constituency since 1993. The Datia seat has historically been a battleground between the Congress and the BJP for over four decades.
Ashutosh Tiwari, with an RSS background and experience as the Madhya Pradesh Housing Board chairman, is the BJP’s candidate for the bypoll. Tiwari’s candidacy announcement led to protests by Narottam Mishra’s supporters in Datia, resulting in violent clashes with the police. Mishra, despite initial discontent, has accepted the party’s decision and pledged to support Tiwari’s campaign for the BJP.
