Datia bypoll race heats up before ticket announcement:Narottam holds 2 rallies, Congress goes door-to-door, ASP claims 70% outreach

As the nomination filing date for the Datia Assembly bypoll draws closer, political activity has intensified across the constituency. Although no political party has officially announced its candidate yet, election campaigning is already in full swing. While public meetings are being held by some leaders, others have opted for door-to-door outreach to connect with voters. The contest has effectively shifted to the ground, with aspirants from the BJP, Congress and Azad Samaj Party stepping up their political activities ahead of the official candidate announcements. Former Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Dr. Narottam Mishra has emerged as the most active BJP face, having already purchased a nomination form and launched his campaign through public meetings. In the Congress camp, ticket aspirants are strengthening their grassroots presence through extensive public outreach. Meanwhile, the Azad Samaj Party claims it began preparations even before the bypoll was officially announced and says it has already reached nearly 70% of the constituency. Although parties are yet to finalize their candidates, the race to demonstrate political strength and establish an early connect with voters has already begun. To assess whose claim is stronger and who has a better grip on the electoral ground, Dainik Bhaskar gauged the electoral mood of Datia. Read the report… Who are the main contenders? Congress camp Several names are under consideration for the Congress ticket. Shobha Bharti, wife of former Datia MLA Rajendra Bharti, remains one of the most discussed names. Rajendra Bharti had defeated then Home Minister Narottam Mishra in the 2023 Assembly election. Party insiders, however, believe Kunwar Ghanshyam Singh has emerged as the strongest contender following consultations within the party leadership. Avadhesh Nayak also remains in the race. He was initially declared the Congress candidate in the 2023 Assembly election before the party replaced him with Rajendra Bharti. Nayak continued to support the party during the campaign. BJP camp The BJP’s primary face remains Dr. Narottam Mishra, who has already purchased a nomination form. According to party sources, the central leadership has sought a panel of three names. Besides Mishra, the names being discussed include: Anoop Yadav, a former Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) pracharak and former organisation secretary. Ashok Sijaria, a senior BJP leader and lawyer, who is considered close to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar. However, Sijaria has publicly distanced himself from the election process. Datia BJP district president Raghuveer Kushwaha maintained that “there is only one name from Datia—Narottam Mishra,” while adding that the final decision rests with the party high command. Profiles of Key Aspirants Congress Avadhesh Nayak Kunwar Ghanshyam Singh BJP Anoop Yadav Ashok Sijaria Narottam Mishra seeks forgiveness, counters Congress Although the BJP has not officially declared him as its candidate, Dr. Narottam Mishra has already begun addressing public meetings. First public meeting At a gathering near Chhote Fubbare on Thandi Road, Mishra publicly apologised for his past mistakes. “I seek forgiveness for any mistakes I may have made earlier. I have changed my conduct and behaviour. If you visit my home, I assure you I will personally welcome you and make you feel respected,” he said. Second public meeting At a meeting held at Rawatpura College, Mishra responded to Congress’ allegations regarding an alleged ₹70-crore horse-trading episode. He said, “The BJP does not buy discarded material. Congress claimed that a Union Minister’s personal assistant approached them, but they have never been able to identify who that person was.” Congress focuses on door-to-door outreach District Congress Organisation General Secretary Narendra Gurjar said the party has chosen grassroots campaigning instead of large public meetings. “We are conducting an intensive door-to-door campaign. Senior party leaders are regularly visiting Datia, and organisational responsibilities are being assigned to workers at different levels,” he said. Congress aspirant Avadhesh Nayak has also been holding public interactions at local markets and intersections while assigning responsibilities to workers at the booth level. Azad Samaj party concentrates on rural areas Azad Samaj Party leader Damodar Yadav said the party began its campaign immediately after Rajendra Bharti’s Assembly membership was terminated. “Our preparations started much before the by-election was officially announced. Our workers are reaching every village and interacting with voters. We have already covered nearly 70% of the Assembly constituency and our public meetings are continuing,” he claimed. Campaign begins before candidate announcements With nominations yet to be finalized, Datia has already entered campaign mode. Public meetings, booth-level mobilisation, door-to-door outreach and organisational preparations are underway across party lines, setting the stage for an intense electoral contest even before the official candidates are declared.