Archive · 7 Aug 2026
Congress Rewards Ex-BJP Leader After Datia Bypoll Win
In Madhya Pradesh, a state in India, there was a special election called a byelection in a place called Datia.
The Congress party won that election, which made them very happy.
A man named Avadhesh Nayak helped the party a lot by talking to voters and getting them to support Congress.
He used to be in the other party, the BJP, but he switched to Congress.
Even though Congress did not pick him as their candidate twice, he still worked hard for them.
After the win, Congress gave him a new job — General Secretary — as a thank-you for his hard work.
The BJP was not happy and said the appointment was not fair.
Uma Bharti, an important leader from the BJP, said her party lost and needed to think carefully about what went wrong.
She said getting a few more votes was not enough, and that the party must review its strategy.
In the end, the story is about hard work being rewarded, and about a losing team trying to figure out how to do better next time.
Congress appointed former BJP leader Avadhesh Nayak as General Secretary of the Madhya Pradesh Congress for his role in the Datia byelection victory.
Nayak, an influential Brahmin leader from Datia, quit the BJP ahead of the 2023 Assembly elections after a fallout with Dr Narottam Mishra.
Despite being denied the party ticket twice in less than three years, Nayak campaigned extensively and is credited with mobilising Brahmin voters, especially in the Basai region.
Former Chief Minister Uma Bharti called for an in-depth review of BJP strategy, saying an increased vote share was not enough after the Datia defeat.
Rajendra Bharti, whose disqualification triggered the bypoll, was suspended from the Congress on August 2 over allegations of colluding with the BJP.
- Who
- Avadhesh Nayak (appointed General Secretary), state Congress chief Jitu Patwari, former Chief Minister Uma Bharti, suspended MLA Rajendra Bharti, and the Congress and BJP parties.
- What
- Congress rewarded former BJP leader Avadhesh Nayak with the post of General Secretary after the party's Datia byelection win, while Uma Bharti urged the BJP to review its electoral strategy after the defeat.
- When
- After the Datia byelection results; Rajendra Bharti was suspended from Congress on August 2.
- Where
- Datia assembly constituency in Madhya Pradesh, India.
- Why
- To recognise Nayak's organisational contribution and Brahmin-voter mobilisation during the bypoll, and because Uma Bharti believes the BJP failed an important test despite gaining votes.
Congress position
BJP position
Nayak's appointment
Congress position
Congress says the appointment recognises Nayak's complete dedication and organisational contribution during the Datia byelection, stating that the party rewards commitment.
BJP position
BJP spokesperson Ajay Yadav calls it a 'conditional appointment' made only after the election results, alleging the Congress lacks faith in its own cadre and repeatedly deceives its leaders.
Reading the Datia result
Congress position
Congress retained the politically significant Datia assembly seat, a victory credited to its workers' mobilisation.
BJP position
Uma Bharti says an increased vote share is not enough, that the bypoll defeat is a failed test causing her deep pain, and that the BJP must conduct an in-depth review of its strategy.
Treatment of Rajendra Bharti
Congress position
Congress suspended Bharti on August 2 over allegations of colluding with the BJP, presenting it as a disciplinary action.
BJP position
The BJP cites Bharti's suspension as another example of how Congress treats its own workers, supporting its claim that the party deceives its leaders.
- State
- Madhya Pradesh
- Constituency
- Datia
- Bypoll trigger
- Disqualification of Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti
- New appointment
- Avadhesh Nayak named General Secretary of Madhya Pradesh Congress
- Appointing authority
- PCC chief Jitu Patwari, on recommendation of AICC MP in-charge Harish Chaudhary
- 2023 Assembly margin
- Rajendra Bharti defeated Narottam Mishra by over 77,000 votes
- Bharti suspension date
- August 2
- BJP demand
- In-depth review of electoral strategy, urged by Uma Bharti