A political twist in the Datia assembly by-election has brought some relief to the Congress camp. Avdhesh Nayak, a leader believed to be upset after being denied the party's ticket, has now stepped out openly to campaign for the Congress candidate.
The Contest Takes Shape After Nominations
The BJP has fielded Ashutosh Tiwari from Datia, while Congress has put up Ghanshyam Singh as its candidate. Both leaders have already filed their nomination papers. Attention, meanwhile, has centred on Avdhesh Nayak, who was once active in the BJP before switching to Congress in 2023. This time around, he was widely seen as a frontrunner for the Congress ticket from Datia, but the party ultimately backed someone else. Nayak's reported displeasure over being passed over grew louder once BJP leader Ashutosh Tiwari personally visited him after he filed his nomination, fuelling speculation that he could return to his old party. In response, several Congress leaders reportedly made repeated efforts to placate him, and that effort now appears to have paid off.
Nayak Shares the Stage With Jitu Patwari
At a public meeting held in the city, Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Jitu Patwari was present, and Avdhesh Nayak was seen standing alongside him on the stage, a clear sign of his active involvement in campaigning for the Congress candidate. Addressing the gathering, Patwari said, "Congress will win here by a margin of 25,000 votes." He targeted the state government, alleging that farmers and Dalits had been betrayed and that the OBC community had still not received the benefit of reservation. The rally also raised questions about the lack of development work in Datia and the state government's policies.
Why a Grassroots Leader's Backing Matters
Avdhesh Nayak is no newcomer to Datia's politics. He has contested elections from the Datia assembly seat before and holds a distinct identity of his own in the region. Having previously served as a councillor in the Datia municipal council, he is regarded locally as a grounded leader with a strong hold on the ground. That is precisely why his decision to campaign is being seen as beneficial for Congress, since his support could help swing some extra votes in the party's favour. Nayak himself made clear that he intends to campaign for Congress under all circumstances. On his meeting with the BJP candidate, he said it happened simply because he regards him as a younger brother, even as his own support now firmly rests with Congress. Rajendra Bharti was also present on the stage during the event, along with his supporters.
Discontent Over Ticket Distribution in Both Camps
Ticket distribution in Datia stirred discontent not just within Congress but inside the BJP as well. The party denied a ticket to heavyweight leader Narottam Mishra, even though he had won the Datia seat as MLA three times in a row. His supporters reacted with a strong show of protest after the decision. Mishra later turned up himself to help with Ashutosh Tiwari's nomination process, signalling that he was standing by the party. Within Congress too, there was talk of resentment over Rajendra Bharti's family not being given a ticket. With campaign machinery from both major parties now fully deployed on the ground, it remains to be seen which way the voters of Datia ultimately swing.
