Datia by election is taking twists and turns every day since the announcement of election date. High stake battle looms around candidates selection and rejection. Even discussion on candidates of both the main parties Congress and BJP comes after debate over denial of ticket to former Home Minister Narottam Mishra and Avadhesh Nayak, who switched to Congress from BJP in 2023. In telephonic conversation with ‘The Hitavada’, citizen raised the issue of developmental work saying local problems like broken wall of ‘Lala Ka Talab’ , creation of job opportunities etc. need to be addressed. According to them, such problems were not resolved that is why Mishra could not repeat the win in 2023. Since Congress MLA Rajendra Bharati remained only for two and half year from this seat so there his performance is yet to be evaluated but in this brief tenure people had complaints of difficult access to their representative.

 

Now, back to the political drama, former Congress Minister and State Media Incharge, Mukesh Nayak held a 25-minute discussion with Nayak and informed ‘The Hitavada’ that Nayak had expressed solidarity with the Congress party in this election too. Notably, Congress party fielded former MLA Kunwar Ghanshyam Singh over Avdhesh Nayak who had been a strong contender for the Congress ticket. His absence from party’s key event during the by election was noticeable and fuelled speculation about his displeasure following this decision. Subsequently, BJP candidate Ashutosh after filing nomination visited Congress leader Avadhesh Nayak a meeting that has now become a topic of discussion in political circles. State Congress President Jitu Patwari himself had visited Nayak’s residence and senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh took U-turn and sought apology from Nayak over his remark. Congress candidate from Datia, Ghanshyam Singh, and now Phool Singh Baraiya have praised Narottam. Why are Congress leaders praising Narottam after he was denied a ticket? Both BJP and Congress are seeking to capitalise on internal unrest within their political rival parties.