Archive · 3 Aug 2026
Datia Bypoll: Congress Races Ahead of BJP in Prestige Battle
A recent election in the town of Datia, India, is being watched closely.
The Congress party’s candidate, Kunwar Ghanshyam Singh, is leading by about 6,500 votes.
The BJP, led by state chief minister Mohan Yadav, had a big fight inside the party because they did not give a ticket to former minister Narottam Mishra.
Some BJP workers protested and blocked roads.
The election shows how strong the BJP’s organization is and how voters feel about the local party leaders.
Voters in rural areas turned out more than those in the city, and more men voted than women.
The results will help the BJP decide how to run in the state.
Congress candidate Kunwar Ghanshyam Singh leads by over 6,500 votes with seven rounds of counting remaining.
BJP denied a ticket to former Home Minister Narottam Mishra, sparking internal rebellion and road blockades.
BJP’s new state leadership, including CM Mohan Yadav and president Hemant Khandelwal, campaigned heavily in Datia.
Overall voter turnout was 71.44%, with rural turnout at 78% versus urban 62% and male turnout higher than female.
The bypoll is seen as a test of BJP’s organisational strength and a reflection of voter sentiment against local BJP factions.
- Who
- Congress candidate Kunwar Ghanshyam Singh and BJP leaders Mohan Yadav, Hemant Khandelwal, and Narottam Mishra
- What
- Datia by-election in Madhya Pradesh
- Where
- Datia constituency, Madhya Pradesh, India
- Why
- The bypoll serves as a test of BJP’s new state leadership and reflects voter sentiment against local BJP factions
- Leading Candidate
- Kunwar Ghanshyam Singh
- Vote Lead
- 6,500+ votes
- Overall Turnout
- 71.44%
- Rural Turnout
- 78%
- Urban Turnout
- 62%
- Key BJP Figure
- Narottam Mishra