Shobha Bharti emerges top Congress contender in Datia bypolls:Ahead of 2 rivals, party weighs sympathy factor after Rajendra Bharti’s conviction

With voting for the Datia Assembly by-election scheduled for July 30, the Congress is in the final stages of selecting its candidate. According to party sources, Shobha Bharti, wife of former MLA Rajendra Bharti, has emerged as the strongest contender among a three-member panel of potential candidates. The Congress is expected to announce its candidate on Tuesday. Congress may play sympathy card Party sources said the three-member panel includes Shobha Bharti, Avdhesh Nayak, and Ghanshyam Singh. Among them, Shobha Bharti is currently considered the leading contender. The party is reportedly weighing the option of fielding her on a sympathy plank following the conviction of Rajendra Bharti and the subsequent vacancy of the seat. Congress leaders believe his political influence and support base could play a crucial role in the by-election. Three names in Congress panel Rajendra Bharti’s conviction led to bypoll Rajendra Bharti won the Datia Assembly seat in the 2023 Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections, defeating the state’s current Home Minister. However, on April 2, a Special District Court in New Delhi sentenced him to three years’ imprisonment and imposed a ₹1 lakh fine. Following the conviction, the Madhya Pradesh Assembly Secretariat declared the Datia seat vacant and informed the Election Commission, paving the way for the by-election. Congress is now considering leveraging the goodwill and sympathy among Bharti’s supporters during the upcoming poll. Who is Shobha Bharti? Shobha Bharti holds an MSc degree in Chemistry. A homemaker by profession, she has been actively supporting Rajendra Bharti’s political work and is now among the leading contenders for the Congress ticket. Avdhesh Nayak also in the race Former Textbook Corporation Vice-Chairman Avdhesh Nayak is also a strong aspirant for the Congress nomination. He joined Congress after leaving the BJP ahead of the 2023 Assembly elections. Initially, Congress had announced him as its candidate for Datia, but later replaced him with Rajendra Bharti following opposition from Bharti’s supporters. Despite losing the ticket, Nayak campaigned for Rajendra Bharti and is now staking his claim based on his loyalty to the party and organisational work. Ghanshyam Singh’s name also under consideration Former MLA Ghanshyam Singh is the third name in the panel. However, party insiders indicate that the primary contest for the ticket is currently between Shobha Bharti and Avdhesh Nayak. SP preparing to field candidate The Samajwadi Party (SP) is also preparing to contest the by-election. State SP President Dr. Manoj Yadav said several party leaders have expressed interest in contesting, and discussions are underway to select a strong candidate. When asked about fielding a candidate against Congress despite being part of the INDIA alliance, Yadav said no specific instructions had been received so far. He added that a final decision would be taken after discussions with SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, but the party is currently preparing to contest the election with full strength. BSP awaiting Mayawati’s decision The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is currently adopting a wait-and-watch approach regarding the Datia by-election. BSP State President Ramakant Pippal said the party would decide whether to field a candidate only after consultations with BSP chief Mayawati.