Datia, July 2 (IANS) With the Election Commission of India (ECI) on Thursday announcing the by-election to the Datia Assembly constituency in Madhya Pradesh for July 30, the Opposition Congress termed the disqualification of its MLA Rajendra Bharti a “conspiracy” involving the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Election Commission, setting the tone for a high-stakes political contest.

Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar said the people of Datia had elected Bharti with a decisive mandate in the 2023 Assembly elections and appealed to the Congress workers to begin preparations for the upcoming state bypoll.

“The people of Datia elected Rajendra Bharti with a huge majority in 2023. His membership was cancelled after a conspiracy. The BJP is trying to capture the seat through the by-election, but the people will once again place their trust in the Congress,” Singhar added.

According to the ECI schedule, nominations will be accepted from July 6 to 13, scrutiny will be held on July 14, withdrawals can be made till July 16, polling will take place on July 30 and counting of votes will be held on August 3.

The bypoll became necessary after Bharti was disqualified under the Representation of the People Act following his conviction in a criminal case.

Datia is among the politically significant Assembly constituencies in the Gwalior-Chambal region.

In the 2023 Assembly elections, Bharti defeated the then Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra by 7,742 votes, ending the BJP veteran’s long dominance in the constituency.

The BJP is likely to make a strong bid to reclaim the Assembly seat, with speculation that Mishra could once again be its candidate.

The Congress, meanwhile, is looking to retain the Assembly constituency and reinforce its 2023 poll victory.

The bypoll is being seen as an important political contest for both parties in the politically crucial Gwalior-Chambal region.

–IANS

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