MP: Violence Erupts in Datia as Narottam Mishra Backers Protest BJP's Bypoll Pick

Protest by the supporters of senior BJP leader Narottam Mishra, who was denied assembly bypoll ticket, in turned violent in Madhya Pradesh's Datia district on Friday.

The district witnessed nearly 12-hour blockade on NH-44 as 3,000 supporters of Narottam Mishra protested against the party's decision to deny the ticket. The ruling party has given ticket to Ashutosh Tiwari for the Datia assembly bypoll, which has left Mishra's supporters angry.

They pelted stones at the police and the authorities were forced to use tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Speaking to PTI, Datia Collector Swapnil Wankhade, on protest by supporters of MP leader Narottam Mishra, said, "The protest had been underway since yesterday, during which the protesters blocked the road. The blockade began at around 5.30 pm and continued until about 5.00 am, lasting nearly 11 to 11.5 hours.

He said that the disruption led to a traffic jam stretching nearly 20 kilometres, and even after the blockade was lifted, it took another two hours for the stranded vehicles to move. The Collector added, "Before taking action, the administration repeatedly appealed to the protesters to disperse peacefully. Eventually, security forces had to be deployed. After the forces arrived, protesters began pelting stones. In response, police fired tear gas shells.

Wankhade stated that the protesters retreated to the party office premises but continued stone-pelting from there. He continued, "The police maintained restraint and used tear gas to disperse the crowd, after which the road blockade was cleared. Eight police personnel sustained serious injuries in the stone-pelting.

STORY | MP bypoll: Narottam Mishras supporters clash with cops, block highway after ticket snub

Violence erupted in Madhya Pradeshs Datia district on Saturday, as supporters of senior BJP leader Narottam Mishra clashed with police and blocked a national highway after the… pic.twitter.com/yohYkxcFgE

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 11, 2026

The SP, ASP, and DSP were also injured. Several vehicles were damaged during the violence. A police bus and a police vehicle were overturned, their windows smashed, and the windows of five to six trucks were also broken. The situation is now under control. The administration is fully prepared to deal with any further disturbance and will not allow peace to be disrupted."

Datia SP Mayur Khandelwal said that the protestors tried to shut down the market. The authorities have been advising them since last night to follow the code of conduct and clear the road blockade, as vehicular movement was severely disrupted.

Datia, Madhya Pradesh: The BJPs announcement of its candidate for the Datia Assembly by-election triggered protests by supporters of former Home Minister Narottam Mishra, who was denied the ticket. Party workers demonstrated, blocked National Highway-44, and questioned the… pic.twitter.com/eSp9j4KM25

— IANS (@ians_india) July 10, 2026

He explained, "During this process of persuasion, they suddenly resorted to stone-pelting, resulting in the police immediately using tear gas, and after that, they resorted to even more stone-pelting...At present, the situation is under control. "

Datia, Madhya Pradesh: BJP supporters continued protesting at several locations in Datia after BJP leader Narottam Mishra was denied ticket for bypoll. Heavy police deployment was seen outside the BJP office, with the District Collector and SP present at the spot pic.twitter.com/AcE0MWIZUS

— IANS (@ians_india) July 11, 2026

Sources told PTI that Mishra had purchased a nomination form in the hopes of getting a ticket after losing to Congress leader Rajendra Bharti in 2023 polls by over 7,500 votes. The byelection is necessitated after Bharti was sentenced to three years' imprisonment by a Delhi court in a cheating case in April this year, leading to his disqualification as an MLA.

Meanwhile, several party office-bearers, including the district unit president and local corporators, resigned from the party in protest after Mishra was denied the ticket.