Datia: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra became emotional during a public meeting in Datia on Monday, days after the party denied him a ticket for the upcoming Assembly by-election.
Mishra was addressing supporters during the nomination rally of BJP candidate Ashutosh Tiwari when his voice began to choke and tears rolled down his face. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and state BJP president Hemant Khandelwal, who were seated nearby, consoled him on the stage.
Despite being overlooked by the party, Mishra publicly pledged his complete support to Tiwari.
“From July 16, I will sit with the workers, visit every household and go to every village to ensure Ashutosh’s victory,” Mishra said during his speech. He also referred to Tiwari as his younger brother and urged party workers to unite behind the BJP candidate.
The emotional moment quickly became the defining image of the BJP’s nomination programme, which had otherwise been organised as a major show of strength ahead of the July 30 polling.
Mohan Yadav Attempts to Reassure Mishra
After Mishra returned to his seat, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav called him closer and sought to underline his continued importance in the party’s Datia campaign.
Yadav said the by-election would be fought under Mishra’s leadership and entrusted the BJP candidate to him, saying, “Ashutosh is my younger brother.” The Chief Minister also praised Mishra’s contribution to Datia and said he had done extensive work for the constituency.
The gesture was widely seen as an attempt to present a united front after the BJP’s candidate selection triggered anger among a section of Mishra’s supporters.
Mishra had been considered a leading contender for the ticket and had reportedly begun preparations to return to electoral politics. However, the BJP eventually selected Ashutosh Tiwari, an organisation leader from Datia district.
‘There Must Have Been Some Shortcoming in Me’
Following the denial of the ticket, Mishra was asked whether the decision was based on feedback from the BJP organisation or whether the state leadership had played a role.
He declined to blame anyone.
“There must have been some shortcoming in me. I will now become introverted,” Mishra said, while maintaining that he was neither angry with the party nor with its leadership. He also declared that he had been born politically in the BJP and would remain with the party throughout his life.
His reference to becoming “introverted” has since generated considerable political discussion. Mishra has long been known for his outspoken style, forceful speeches and sharp responses to opponents. His unusually restrained reaction to the ticket decision has therefore attracted as much attention as the decision itself.
Purported Phone Conversation Circulates Online
Amid protests by his supporters, a purported phone conversation attributed to Mishra also circulated on social media.
In the recording, the speaker is heard asking a supporter not to do anything foolish, to remain calm and leave the rest to him. The authenticity and complete context of the recording could not be independently established.
The conversation appeared to be an attempt to pacify supporters after demonstrations erupted over the BJP’s decision. Mishra subsequently issued a public appeal for calm and asked workers to respect the party’s choice.
His supporters had earlier blocked the Jhansi-Gwalior highway and clashed with police. Stones were allegedly thrown during the protest, while police used tear gas to disperse the crowd. Several police personnel, including the Datia superintendent of police, were reported injured.
Six-Time MLA Seeking Political Comeback
Narottam Mishra is a six-time former MLA who represented Dabra on three occasions and Datia for three consecutive terms. He served in several ministerial positions and was among the most influential figures in the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government.
In the 2023 Madhya Pradesh Assembly election, Mishra lost the Datia seat to Congress candidate Rajendra Bharti by more than 7,500 votes.
The present by-election became necessary after Bharti was disqualified from the Assembly following his conviction in a cheating case. The Election Commission has scheduled voting for July 30, with counting to take place on August 3.
Ashutosh Tiwari will face Congress candidate Ghanshyam Singh in the contest. Both candidates filed their nomination papers on July 13, the final day for nominations.
Digvijaya Singh’s ‘Ravana’ Remark Draws BJP Response
The controversy also intensified after senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh expressed happiness over Mishra being denied the ticket and described him as “tyrannical, unjust and Ravana-like”.
The remark drew a sharp response from Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who said such language was unacceptable during an election. Yadav defended Mishra’s work in Datia and claimed Congress would pay a political price for the statement.
The exchange has added another layer of bitterness to an already emotionally charged contest.
For the BJP, Mishra’s presence alongside Ashutosh Tiwari has helped contain immediate speculation about an open rebellion. His tears, however, also revealed the personal cost of the party’s decision.
Mishra may have promised to become more introverted, but with every gesture and statement now being closely analysed, political silence may prove harder than delivering another campaign speech.
