Datia By-Election: BJP and Congress Lock Horns Over Development and Governance Issues

The Datia by-election was made a prestige election by both the BJP and the Congress. On the BJP side, several senior leaders including Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia campaigned. On the Congress side, state president Jitu Patwari, Leader of the Opposition Umang Singhar and other senior leaders campaigned. The BJP made the double engine government, development work, roads, electricity, water, women empowerment and public welfare schemes of the state government a major issue in its campaign. The party sought support from the voters in the name of continuity of development. On the other hand, the Congress tried to corner the government on issues like inflation, unemployment, farmers'problems, law and order, local development and alleged misuse of administration. The Congress tried to project this election as a people versus government fight. The role of former Home Minister Dr. Narottam Mishra was most discussed in this election. Datia has been his political karmabhoomi. He worked with the organization up to the booth level and played an important role in keeping the party workers active. Ghanashyam Nayak was also the Congress candidate in the village public relations campaign.