Narottam Mishra’s supporters clash with police over BJP ticket snub in Datia

SUpporters of former Madhya Pradesh government minister Narottam Mishra on sabbatum clashed with police force personnel in Datia dominion o'er denial of ticket to the senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader for the upcoming assembly bypoll. Later in the day, Mishra accepted the party’s decision to nominate Ashutosh Tiwari.Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena (UBT) offered to nominate Mishra from the Datia assembly. State’s Sena (UBT) chief Sunil Sharma said that if Mishra accepted the offer, his party president Uddhav Thackeray would campaign for him in the state.According to police, over 3,000 protestors had blocked the National Highway-44 for nearly 12 hours, leaving the Datia superintendent of police and several cops injured.Over 30 people have been booked for rioting, vandalising and attacking government servants for pelting stones on police, vandalising trucks and blocking traffic.An FIR has been registered under sections 191 (rioting), 324 (vandalism), 132 (attacking, assaulting, or using criminal force against a government servant), 115 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 285 (traffic disruptions and road obstructions) of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, said Datia SP Mayur Khandelwal.On Friday, the BJP announced the candidature of Tiwari for the assembly bypoll scheduled for July 30, angering Mishra’s supporters. Nearly 300 office bearers from district to panchayat level resigned from their posts in the protest.“I will pacify the workers, who are upset over the denial of tickets in Datia. I respect the decision taken by the party. I can assure that everyone will work together for the party,” Mishra said on Saturday, after he met the state leadership in Bhopal.Mishra said that he would fully support the BJP’s candidate and campaign if party asks.Later on Saturday, a meeting was held at the Madhya Pradesh chief minister’s residence to review the situation. Mishra held discussions with chief minister Mohan Yadav, regional organisation general secretary Ajay Jamwal, and BJP state president Hemant Khandelwal.After the meeting, Khandelwal said, “It has come to my notice that some individuals in Datia have tendered their resignations in the heat of the moment. The organisation has decided that no worker’s resignation will be accepted.”Cong fields Datia royal family headMeanwhile, the Congress has fielded Ghanshyam Singh, head of the Datia royal family, as its candidate for the upcoming assembly byelection.Reacting to the announcement, Ghanshyam Singh said, “It’s a big responsibility for me as the party has shown trust in me.”