The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is facing an internal crisis in Madhya Pradesh's Datia Assembly by-election after supporters of former Home Minister Dr. Narottam Mishra staged violent protests over the party's decision to field Ashutosh Tiwari as its candidate. The unrest left the Superintendent of Police (SP), an SDOP and at least eight police personnel injured, prompting authorities to impose Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) across the district.

The protest began on Friday evening and intensified in the early hours of Saturday, disrupting normal life and bringing traffic to a standstill on the Gwalior-Jhansi National Highway.

Highway Blockade Turns Violent

Hundreds of BJP workers and supporters gathered on the highway, resulting in a traffic jam stretching nearly 15 to 20 kilometres. Police said clashes broke out around 4:30 am when protesters allegedly resorted to stone-pelting after being asked to disperse.

Security forces used tear gas shells to control the crowd. Several vehicles, including police vehicles, were damaged, while a police vehicle was reportedly overturned. Authorities also said attempts were made to set a vehicle on fire.

According to the district administration, the blockade continued from around 5:30 pm on Friday until approximately 5:00 am on Saturday, causing major inconvenience to commuters.

Section 163 Enforced Across Datia

In response to the violence, the Datia administration imposed Section 163 of the BNSS throughout the district. The prohibitory orders ban public gatherings of five or more people, rallies, processions, demonstrations and public meetings without prior permission.

Heavy police deployment has been made at sensitive locations, and additional forces have been requisitioned from the Police Headquarters (PHQ). Security checks have also been intensified on routes leading into Datia.

District Collector Swapnil Wankhede said the administration would not allow another highway blockade and warned of strict legal action against anyone violating the prohibitory orders.

BJP Workers Continue Protest

More than 500 BJP workers reportedly participated in the overnight protest, with women supporters also joining demonstrations by sitting and lying on roads. Around 250 workers were kept inside the BJP office in Datia as a preventive measure amid fears of further escalation.

Several district BJP leaders, including district president Raghuveer Saran, city office-bearers and the party treasurer, resigned in protest over the denial of a ticket to Narottam Mishra. Supporters have also claimed that multiple BJP councillors submitted their resignations.

Narottam Appeals for Calm

Despite the widespread protests, Dr. Narottam Mishra urged party workers to maintain discipline and respect the BJP's organisational structure. He appealed to supporters not to resort to violence or extreme forms of protest and said disagreements should be expressed through the party's internal forums.

Later on Saturday, Mishra left Datia for Bhopal along with his wife.

Party Leadership Backs Ashutosh Tiwari

Senior BJP leaders have publicly backed the party's decision to nominate Ashutosh Tiwari.

Madhya Pradesh Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya said the BJP selects candidates only after careful consideration and expressed confidence that Tiwari would register a comfortable victory in the by-election.

Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda also reiterated that the organisation's decision is final and should be accepted by all party workers. BJP in-charge Abhay Pratap Singh Yadav reached Datia to hold discussions with disgruntled workers and said the situation would soon return to normal.

Ashutosh Tiwari, meanwhile, described Dr. Narottam Mishra as his "guardian" and said he would fulfil the responsibility entrusted to him by the party with complete dedication.

Political Activity Intensifies

The political atmosphere in Datia remains tense ahead of the July 30 Assembly bypoll. Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) chief and Nagina MP Chandrashekhar Azad is scheduled to address a public rally in support of party candidate Damodar Yadav.

Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh questioned the police action against BJP workers and urged authorities to identify and act against those responsible for instigating the violence.

With Section 163 in force and security tightened across the district, the administration has appealed to the public to maintain peace as election campaigning continues.

The Madhya Pradesh Assembly witnessed high drama on Wednesday as Finance Minister Jagdish Devda presented the state's budget for the financial year 2026-27—his seventh as Finance Minister and the third under the Dr. Mohan Yadav government. While the ₹4.38 lakh crore outlay brought cheer with major announcements for women, farmers, and students, the Opposition Congress turned the House into a battlefield over the government's refusal to increase the MLA fund and concerns over mounting state debt .

Big-Ticket Announcements: Ladli Behna, Free Milk, and Jobs

Presenting a "women-centric" budget with a total outlay of ₹4,38,317 crore, Devda announced that no new taxes would be imposed, offering immediate relief to citizens. The government has prioritized its flagship Ladli Behna Yojana, allocating a massive ₹23,882 crore to benefit 1.25 crore registered women across the state. This forms part of a larger ₹1.27 lakh crore earmarked for various women's welfare schemes, reinforcing the administration's focus on Nari Shakti .

In a move that will impact families directly, the Finance Minister announced that students up to Class 8 in government schools will now receive free milk in tetra packs, aiming to boost nutrition and encourage attendance. Additionally, the government will recruit 15,000 new teachers to strengthen the education sector and fill 22,500 posts in the police department, addressing critical manpower shortages .

"Recruitment is underway for 22,500 posts in the police department. 11,000 new housing units have been built for police personnel. From April 1, 2026, divorced daughters will also be eligible for family pension," Devda stated during his nearly 90-minute speech.

Farmers and Infrastructure Get a Boost

The agriculture sector received significant attention with an allocation of ₹3,000 crore to provide one lakh solar pumps to farmers, promoting renewable energy and reducing dependence on the grid. The government also approved ₹21,630 crore for the Chief Minister Majra–Tola Road scheme, aiming to improve connectivity in rural and remote areas .

In a major push for tribal development, ₹793 crore has been allocated for 11,277 villages in tribal regions. The government has also set aside ₹13,851 crore for preparations of the upcoming Simhastha festival in Ujjain, with an additional ₹3,060 crore specifically for the 2026-27 fiscal to manage infrastructure, security, and pilgrim facilities .

Congress Uproar: 'No MLA Fund Hike' Sparks Chaos

While the budget proposed extensive welfare measures, the decision to keep the MLA fund unchanged triggered fierce protests from Congress legislators. As Devda delivered his speech, Congress MLAs stormed the well of the House, raising slogans and displaying placards. Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar repeatedly appealed for calm, urging members to return to their seats, but the chaos persisted .

Taking their protest a step further, Congress MLAs brought empty piggy banks and boxes into the Assembly, symbolizing their charge that the state's debt is spiraling out of control. "The state's debt is continuously increasing, yet you claim everything is fine," they shouted, holding placards reading, "Debt is higher than the budget." 

Tarana Congress MLA Mahesh Parmar took a swipe at the government's consultation process, remarking, "The Finance Minister claims the budget was prepared after consultations, but it is unclear who was consulted. Perhaps suggestions were taken from BJP legislators who usually remain silent."

Debt Debate: Congress Demands White Paper

The Opposition's aggression extended beyond the MLA fund. Congress President Jitu Patwari alleged that the state is facing a serious financial crisis, claiming that the government borrows ₹213 crore daily and that liabilities, including interest, now form the largest component of the budget. "MP has a budget provision of approximately ₹4.5 lakh crore, but we did not receive ₹50,000 crore from the central government last year. As a result, the government could not spend even 50% of the 2025-26 budget," Patwari charged .

Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar added that the government's borrowing of ₹5,600 crore even before the budget session is a clear sign that the state is being burdened with debt. "The government is living on borrowed money and spreading illusions in the name of development," he alleged .

Government Defends Its Vision

Defending the budget, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav emphasized its focus on "inclusive development, good governance, and cultural revival." He stated, "We have resolved to create a prosperous Madhya Pradesh by 2047. This budget will create a happy, prosperous Madhya Pradesh" .

Finance Minister Devda framed the budget around the "GYANII" model—Garib Kalyan, Yuva Shakti, Annadata, Nari Shakti, Infrastructure, and Industry—with allocations of nearly ₹3 lakh crore directed toward these areas. He reiterated that the government's objective is to ensure justice for every woman and provide employment to every youth .

Key Allocations at a Glance

- Ladli Behna Yojana: ₹23,882 crore

- Women's Welfare (Total): ₹1.27 lakh crore

- Panchayat & Rural Development: ₹40,062 crore

- Solar Pumps for Farmers: ₹3,000 crore (1 lakh pumps)

- Teacher Recruitment: 15,000 posts

- Police Recruitment: 22,500 posts

- CM Majra-Tola Road Scheme: ₹21,630 crore

- Tribal Village Development: ₹793 crore (11,277 villages)

- Simhastha Festival Preparation: ₹13,851 crore (₹3,060 crore for 2026-27)

- Labour Department: ₹1,335 crore

- Sports & Welfare: ₹815 crore

What's Next?

With the budget now tabled, the Assembly is set for extended discussions over the coming weeks. The government will need to defend its fiscal management against the Opposition's debt allegations while ensuring that the ambitious welfare schemes announced reach the ground effectively. For the 1.25 crore women under Ladli Behna, the 15,000 aspiring teachers, and lakhs of farmers awaiting solar pumps, the real test begins now.