Congress wins Datia bye election by 6,056 votes

Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh praised party workers, saying they remained committed to Congress despite hardships, challenges and difficult circumstances.

He said their commitment was a testament to their courage, dedication and hard work. Singh also thanked the Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee, state president, Leader of Opposition and other party leaders for their efforts in the by-election and their role in securing the victory.

‘We will always stand with our workers’; congratulates Ghanshyam Singh

Digvijaya Singh said Congress would always stand by its workers through their successes and difficulties and would make every possible effort for the development of Datia.

He congratulated newly elected MLA Kunwar Ghanshyam Singh on his victory and expressed confidence that he would live up to the expectations of the people and serve the constituency with complete dedication.

Following the BJP’s defeat in the Datia Assembly by-election, a subdued atmosphere was seen at former Home Minister Dr. Narottam Mishra’s government bungalow in Bhopal’s Char Imli area.

The bungalow, which usually sees a steady flow of visitors and party workers, appeared deserted, with the main gate found locked.

Spoke to media until 2 PM, then disappeared from public view

Dr. Narottam Mishra spoke to the media until around 2 PM. However, as Congress’ victory became increasingly certain during the counting process, he was no longer seen in public.

Later, his bungalow in Char Imli was found locked.

Following the BJP’s defeat in the Datia Assembly by-election, state president Hemant Khandelwal said the party humbly accepts the people’s mandate.

He said the election results would be reviewed in detail, and the party’s future strategy would be decided based on the findings of the review.

‘Discipline is supreme in BJP, no one is above action’

Khandelwal said discipline is paramount in the BJP and that no worker or office-bearer is bigger than the organisation.

He made it clear that if any worker or office-bearer is found responsible for wrongdoing during the review, organisational action will be taken against them.

Datia Collector Swapnil Wankhede and the Chief Electoral Officer said the counting of votes for the Assembly by-election was completed in a peaceful and transparent manner.

They said all security measures were in place throughout the counting process and that all guidelines issued by the Election Commission were followed.

The officials said no untoward incident was reported during the counting. They also thanked all polling personnel, security forces and concerned departments for their cooperation in ensuring the smooth completion of the process.

Following Congress candidate Kunwar Ghanshyam Singh’s 6,056-vote victory in the Datia Assembly by-election, Congress workers held celebrations at Ghantaghar Square in Maihar.

Led by Youth Congress president Saurabh Sharma ‘Lalla’, workers burst firecrackers, fed sweets to one another and raised slogans as they celebrated the victory.

‘Datia is just the beginning, the entire state is yet to come’

Speaking on the occasion, Youth Congress president Saurabh Sharma ‘Lalla’ said, “Datia is just the beginning, the entire state is yet to come.”

He said the victory should be credited not only to the Congress party but also to the people of Datia.

Congress workers raised slogans in support of the party and expressed their joy over the election victory.

Following Congress’ victory in the Datia Assembly by-election, a large number of party workers gathered outside the District Congress Office in Mandsaur and celebrated the win.

Workers burst firecrackers and congratulated one another on the victory. During the celebrations, slogans of “Datia is just the beginning, Madhya Pradesh is yet to come” echoed outside the party office.

The celebrations continued amid an enthusiastic atmosphere among Congress workers.

After winning the Datia Assembly by-election, Congress candidate Kunwar Ghanshyam Singh received his victory certificate from the Returning Officer.

Before receiving the certificate, Singh signed the necessary election-related documents inside the counting centre. He was subsequently formally declared elected from the Datia Assembly constituency.

After receiving the certificate, Congress workers and supporters welcomed Singh with garlands and celebrated his victory.

Following Congress’ victory in the Datia Assembly by-election, Congress and Samajwadi Party leaders congratulated each other by feeding one another Melody toffees.

Leaders and workers of both parties celebrated the alliance’s victory, exchanged sweets and raised victory slogans, sending a message of unity between the two parties.

BJP candidate Ashutosh Tiwari said becoming an MLA or MP is not important to him, but maintaining the trust of those who believe in him will remain his priority until his last breath.

‘Those who call BJP their mother should think emotionally’

Tiwari alleged that internal sabotage took place during the election. Addressing those he described as “insiders who betrayed the party,” he said those who call the BJP their mother should not treat the party in such a manner.

He said people involved in such politics should also think about the emotional aspect of their actions.

‘BJP is known as a party with a difference’

Tiwari said such political calculations should not be taken to an extreme, as the BJP is known as a “party with a difference.”

He added that BJP workers are committed to serving everyone and follow the philosophy of Integral Humanism propounded by Deendayal Upadhyaya.

A cordial atmosphere was witnessed outside the counting centre after the results of the Datia Assembly by-election were announced.

Several Congress and BJP workers hugged each other and showed respect for the democratic process. Despite the intense electoral contest, workers from both parties conveyed a message of mutual harmony and camaraderie.

After his defeat in the Datia Assembly by-election, BJP candidate Ashutosh Tiwari said no one has the authority to make a BJP worker a scapegoat.

Tiwari said, “Ashutosh Tiwari is not someone who can be hunted.” He added that certain behaviours become deeply rooted in a person’s life and should not be changed hastily for any reason.

He said that politics is a different arena and that he would raise whatever issues need to be discussed at the appropriate forum.

‘I’m speaking as a BJP worker, not just an individual’

Tiwari said he had already made it clear that he was speaking not merely as an individual but as a BJP worker.

He said, “If I speak only as an individual, then what is Ashutosh? But as a BJP worker, Ashutosh represents much more.”

He added, “No one has the standing to make a BJP worker a scapegoat.”

‘Datia is the city of Mai; we should follow what she wants’

Tiwari said there was no need for excessive deliberation over the Datia election.

Addressing the media, he appealed for restraint and said Datia is the city of Mai (Goddess). He remarked that instead of overthinking and analysing everything, people should focus on doing what Mai wants.

He further said that applying excessive political calculations in the sacred city of Datia could prove counterproductive.

‘I will stay among party workers and voters’

Tiwari said that as an ordinary BJP worker, he would remain happily among party office-bearers and voters.

He said he would continue to be among them every day and celebrate with them, adding, “You can remain assured and wait patiently.”

Samajwadi Party state president Dr. Manoj Yadav reacted to the Datia by-election results, calling it a victory for the alliance.

He said Samajwadi Party leaders and workers from Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh worked together during the election, contributing to the alliance’s victory.

Yadav thanked all alliance workers and voters for their support and contribution to the victory.

Following Congress’ victory in the Datia Assembly by-election, Pradesh Congress Committee president Jitu Patwari congratulated party workers and supporters through a video call.

Patwari expressed happiness over the victory and thanked party workers for their hard work and the people of Datia for their support.

He said the victory was the result of the dedication of Congress workers and the people’s trust in the party.

Raghogarh Congress MLA Jaivardhan Singh reacted on social media to Congress’ victory in the Datia Assembly by-election, calling it a victory of the people.

He said Datia voters had given their mandate against the policies of the state government. Jaivardhan Singh congratulated Congress candidate Ghanshyam Singh, party workers and the people of Datia on the victory.

He described the result as an important mandate towards bringing about political change in Madhya Pradesh.

After losing the Datia Assembly by-election, BJP candidate Ashutosh Tiwari said the circumstances surrounding the election would be reviewed.

Referring to the developments during the campaign, Tiwari said, “If there is smoke, there must be a fire somewhere.”

He said several discussions and reports emerged during the election, hinting that he may have faced internal sabotage within the party.

Tiwari added that he would discuss the matter with the BJP’s senior leadership and present all the facts and developments that came to light during the election.

Congress Media Department president Mukesh Nayak said the party’s victory in the Datia by-election was a clear message from the people against the state government.

Nayak thanked and saluted the voters of Datia for what he described as a decisive victory. He said the people had used their mandate to “wake up the government.”

He claimed that the results of four by-elections held in Madhya Pradesh over the past two-and-a-half years reflected growing public sentiment against the BJP.

According to Nayak, the BJP’s vote share in Budhni declined by nearly one lakh votes, while in Barwada, despite all efforts, the party won by only around 2,000 votes. He also claimed that the BJP lost in Vijaypur despite heavy administrative pressure.

‘People Will No Longer Tolerate Corruption and Bias’

Nayak said the Datia result showed that people in Madhya Pradesh were no longer willing to tolerate what he called the government’s authoritarian administration, corruption, bias, injustice and politics of vendetta.

He added that nature ultimately gives every person the consequences of their actions.

As Congress maintained a strong lead in the Datia Assembly by-election, support for the party also appeared to be growing in Khandwa district.

In Singot village of the Pandhana Assembly constituency, around 20–25 BJP workers left the party and joined Congress.

District Congress president (Rural) Uttampal Singh Purni formally welcomed the workers at the party office by draping Congress scarves around them and inducting them into the party.

Congress leaders described the development as a sign of growing public support and confidence in the party.

BJP candidate Ashutosh Tiwari, speaking at the counting centre, said the entire election will be reviewed after the results are declared.

He said he would give a detailed response only after the final results are announced.

Tiwari added that he would continue serving the people of Datia and fight for their rights until his last breath.

Datia Congress district president Shivakant Pandey said the BJP, including Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, put in every possible effort to win the by-election but failed to defeat Congress.

He said Congress workers worked tirelessly at the booth level, and the results of their efforts are now becoming evident.

Pandey claimed that Congress candidate Ghanshyam Singh is leading by a historic margin. He said the people have given their mandate in favour of Congress and that the Datia result signals the beginning of a political change in Madhya Pradesh.

A large number of Congress workers and supporters began gathering outside the counting centre during the counting process. Police stopped the supporters at the main gate as part of security arrangements.

A police force has been deployed outside the centre, and only authorised persons are being allowed to enter.

Congress leaders and workers across Madhya Pradesh are elated by the trends in the Datia by-election. In Itarsi, party workers have taken to the streets and are celebrating by dancing to the beats of drums and traditional percussion instruments.

Congress has appeared to be heading for victory in the Datia by-election based on the latest counting trends. Celebrations have begun at the party’s state headquarters in Bhopal, where sweets are being distributed among workers.

The party said its Media Department president Mukesh Nayak and Samajwadi Party state president Manoj Yadav will address a joint press conference at 4 PM.

The press conference will be held at the Rajiv Gandhi Auditorium at the Congress headquarters.

A disagreement broke out between BJP and Congress agents over the placement and sequence of EVMs during the ninth round of counting at Datia Polytechnic College.

ASP Manjeet Singh reached the spot with police personnel and calmed the situation after speaking to both sides.

The ASP clarified to the media that there was no technical issue with the EVMs. Confusion had only arisen over the sequence of the machines, which was resolved. Congress candidate Ghanshyam Singh was also present inside the counting hall at the time and witnessed the entire situation.

Senior Congress leader PC Sharma reached the party’s state headquarters as Congress maintained its lead in the Datia by-election. He said, “Congress is winning by a good margin. I want to congratulate the voters of Datia.”

On the suspension of former MLA Rajendra Bharti, Sharma said the party’s decision is acceptable to everyone.

Amid the Datia by-election, the BJP and Congress state headquarters in Bhopal are unusually quiet.

Counting at Datia’s Polytechnic College has reached the ninth round. Supporters of the BJP, Congress and Azad Samaj Party are present at the venue.

Congress supporters said the government has done nothing for farmers and claimed that Ghanshyam will win by 8,000–9,000 votes.

Kashiram said farmers, women and youth are all troubled under the BJP government and claimed that Congress will win Datia again this time.

Meanwhile, Akash Sharma said the BJP government has developed Datia and that people are supporting the party.

A brief argument broke out between BJP and Congress agents over the placement of EVMs during the ninth round of counting at Datia Polytechnic College.

After receiving information about the incident, ASP Manjit Singh reached the venue with a police team and calmed the situation after speaking to both sides.

Speaking to the media, the ASP clarified that there was no technical fault in the EVMs. He said the confusion was only over the order in which the machines were placed, and the issue was resolved.

Congress candidate Ghanshyam Singh was also present inside the counting hall at the time and witnessed the entire incident.

After the eighth round of counting in the Datia Assembly by-election, the Congress has taken a lead of 5,278 votes. However, the counting is still underway, and the final result will be declared only after the remaining rounds are completed.

Datia has 220,410 registered voters. Of them, 157,460 cast their votes.

The overall voter turnout stood at 71.44%, around 9% lower than in the 2023 Assembly election.

Just a day before the Datia by-election results, the Congress took a major organisational step on Sunday by suspending former MLA Rajendra Bharti from the party’s primary membership.

The order was issued by Congress National General Secretary and Madhya Pradesh in-charge Harish Chaudhary.

The action came after Congress candidate Ghanshyam Singh sent a written complaint to party president Mallikarjun Kharge and other senior leaders following the polling.

He alleged that Rajendra Bharti worked against the party and indulged in cross-voting during the election.

The Datia Assembly seat fell vacant after Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti was sentenced to two years in prison in the Cooperative Rural Development Bank fraud case. In the 2023 Assembly election, Rajendra Bharti defeated then Home Minister Dr Narottam Mishra by 7,742 votes.