HOW the political landscape has being changing in the State in recent times can be understood with the series of events which took place before the bypoll in the Datia constituency. Elections have always been a matter of tussle and suspense contrary to by-polls those carry either less suspense or tussle. By-poll necessitated as a result of disqualification of Congress MLA Rajendra Bharati highlights transformation in political circles in several ways. The primary difference between general election and by-election lies in their scale and timing. General elections occur at fixed intervals to choose representatives for all seats across the nation or State to form a government. In contrast, by-elections are held to fill single vacant seats caused by unforeseen circumstances like resignation, death, or disqualification, ensuring continuous democratic representation. But in Datia the story is different. Even before official announcement of candidates, nomination filing date, political activities were intensified across the constituency, campaigning was already in full swing, public meetings were being held by some leaders. First, it has grabbed national limelight. Fielding of candidates became a tough task for both the main parties Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress. Earlier, political parties used to give ticket from family member of outgoing leader hoping sympathy vote may turn the tide in their favour. In this case, Congress preferred to give ticket to former MLA and veteran leader Ghanshyam Singh. His name was making rounds entire day but final announcement was only made late night on Saturday, putting a full stop to all the speculation about someone from Bharti’s family. Singh is a senior leader, has roots from royal family and has won Loksabha and Assembly elections in the past. Like Narotttam Mishra, Congress candidate Singh also lost the 2023 Assembly Election to BJP’s Pradeep Agrawal. But this Congress party has expressed faith in Singh’s name again.

 

Rajendra Bharti had already made it clear that he will support party’s candidate whoever gets the ticket, “his family need not be considered for the ticket if the Congress identifies a stronger candidate” even though his family members don’t get it, he will work for the party. That’s why, State Congress president Jitu Patwari on Sunday exuded confidence over the party’s victory in this election, saying that the Congress would ‘100 per cent’ win the seat. Ghanshyam Singh had been given the ticket with the consensus of all senior leaders and workers, adding that the party was entirely certain of a victory. 72-year-old Singh’s main rival would be the BJP’s Ashutosh Tiwari (45) for the July 30 by-polls. After demonstrating massive protest against the denial of ticket to Narottam Mishra by the BJP by his supporters, it seems things are going to normalise in the organisation. On Sunday Dr Mahendra Singh, the Bharatiya Janata Party’s State in-charge; Jagdish Devda, Deputy Chief Minister; and Ashutosh Tiwari, the party’s candidate from Datia, addressed a meeting of party workers regarding the by-election. The protest turned violent and the district administration had to invoked Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), surprising to several, it was carried by some workers and office bearers of a party known for discipline. This election painted a different picture although in a very short time things were screwed and a clear message was given by the senior leader that decision will not be reversed, it is not in BJP. A picture of Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav and former minister Narottam Mishra along with State party head Hemant Khandelwal was circulating on social media signaling now all is well in the party. Narottam Mishra said “Party’s decision is supreme”. He appealed to his supporters to remain calm and abide by the party’s decision. Hope, by-election will be conducted peacefully as per schedule but it has left an impression that things are changing so fast now and byelection are no more ‘BY’ becoming intensified.