Responding to the Congress’ claim that the BJP was divided in Datia after it was denied a ticket, Mishra said, “Yes Congress, is it really united in Datia. If indeed it is united in Datia, why did senior leader Avdhesh Naik not accompany the party’s candidate (Kunwar Bhanshyam) for today’s screening. 2023 winner and disqualified MLA) standing outside the office where the Congress candidate submitted the form his nomination?”
Describing the contest between Congress candidate Kunwar Ghanshyam Singh, who hails from the erstwhile Datia royal family, and BJP candidate Ashutosh Tiwari as a battle between “Raja Vs Runk (King vs. Poverty)”, Mishra said that every BJP worker in Datia would ensure Tiwari’s victory.
“Congress is spreading a narrative that Raja (their candidate) is very sweet and soft. Always remember, he is like expired homeopathic medicine which is very sweet but ineffective,” he said.
On Friday evening, shortly after the BJP rejected a ticket for Mishra – who won the seat in 2008, 2013 and 2018 before losing in 2023 – and instead nominated organizational leader Ashutosh Tiwari as its candidate. Violent protests broke out in Datia by BJP workers loyal to Mishra.
Protesters blocked National Highway 44 (Gwalior-Jhansi Highway) for over 11 hours and pelted stones at the police on Saturday morning, injuring eight policemen. Led by BJP president Raghuveer Singh Kushwaha, senior officials of the ruling party offered to resign in protest against the denial of a ticket to Mishra.
According to BJP sources, the developments in Datia from Friday night to Saturday morning have not gone down well with the party’s state and central leadership.
Mishra then traveled to Bhopal to meet senior BJP leaders, including CM Yadav, on Saturday and was in New Delhi on Sunday, where he was unable to meet any national BJP leaders.
Mishra, however, claimed that he had traveled to Delhi for reasons other than meeting the BJP leadership.
Sources said the possibility of disciplinary action against Mishra and his supporters may have prompted his visits to Bhopal and Delhi as well as his public endorsement of the party’s candidate.
