Datia Bypoll Counting Begins Under Tight Security; Congress Suspends Former MLA

Counting of votes for the Datia Assembly constituency bypoll in Madhya Pradesh began on Monday at 8 a.m. at the Polytechnic College counting centre, with elaborate security arrangements in place, officials said. The counting commenced with postal ballots, followed by tallying of votes recorded in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

The bypoll became necessary after Rajendra Bharti, the Congress MLA who won the seat in the 2023 Assembly elections, was disqualified following his conviction in a bank fraud case. His removal from the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly triggered the electoral contest. The conviction led to his disqualification under the Representation of the People Act, which bars convicted lawmakers from continuing in office.

A day before the counting, the Congress suspended Bharti from the party's primary membership. The action came after Congress candidate Ghanshyam Singh accused Bharti of attempting to sabotage his campaign and allegedly colluding with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Congress has not commented on the specific allegations beyond confirming the suspension. Bharti has not responded publicly to the charges.

The BJP, on its part, fielded debutant Ashutosh Tiwari, overlooking former state home minister Narottam Mishra. Mishra represented Datia for three consecutive terms before losing to Bharti in the 2023 polls. The selection of Tiwari marks a generational shift in the constituency, though Mishra's supporters are believed to have been disappointed by the decision.

The bypoll, held on July 30, recorded a voter turnout of 71.44%, according to the Election Commission of India. This figure reflects steady electoral participation in the constituency. The counting centre has 21 tables, including 20 for counting votes from EVMs and one for postal ballots. Officials said the process is expected to continue through the day, with results likely to be announced in the evening.

In the 230-member Madhya Pradesh Assembly, the BJP currently has 164 MLAs, the Congress has 64, and the Bharat Adivasi Party has one. The outcome of the Datia bypoll will not change the government's majority, but it is closely watched as a barometer of political sentiment in the Gwalior-Chambal region, which has historically been a contested area.

The election is also the first major electoral test for the newly appointed BJP state president, Hemant Khandelwal. A victory would strengthen his position in the party, while a defeat could raise questions about the party's organisational strategy. For the Congress, a win would provide a morale boost after a series of electoral setbacks in the state.

Security at the counting centre is tight, with a three-tier police deployment, CCTV surveillance, and a ban on unauthorised entry. Counting agents of candidates were allowed inside only after verification of their credentials, an official said. The Election Commission has made arrangements for a transparent counting process, with strict adherence to guidelines.

Both the BJP and the Congress have expressed confidence in winning the seat. The result will be significant not just for the two parties but also for the political dynamics in Madhya Pradesh, as both national parties have invested considerable resources in this bypoll.