Datia (Madhya Pradesh) [India], August 3 : As the counting of votes got underway for the Datia Assembly bypoll, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Ashutosh Tiwari is leading by 1184 votes after Round 1 of counting. The BJP candidate has expressed firm confidence in the party's victory, citing public trust in Chief Minister Mohan Yadav's governance and development agenda.
Speaking to reporters here, Tiwari stated that the electorate in Datia has extended its support to the BJP government's development record.
"Everyone's blessings are with the BJP; we have received immense support from all. The voters have extended their blessings to the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh, led by CM Mohan Yadav, based on the agenda of development," Tiwari said.
The high-stakes by-election in the Datia constituency witnessed a major contest between ruling BJP's Ashutosh Tiwari and Congress candidate Ghanshyam Singh. Polling for the seat took place on July 30, recording a voter turnout of nearly 72 per cent.
The seat fell vacant following the disqualification of Congress leader Rajendra Bharti. Counting of votes is currently underway under tight multi-tier security arrangements at the designated counting centre.
Echoing similar sentiments, BJP District President Raghuveer Sharan Kushwaha lashed out at the opposition Congress, attributing its political decline to internal friction and fractured leadership.
"It is the day of vote counting, and we are fully prepared and have arrived at the counting venue... There is no doubt that the results will be positive. The Congress party is in a state of decline across the country; even its senior leadership remains fractured. Consequently, their grassroots organisation is disintegrating, as the party is plagued by internal infighting and the spreading of confusion," Kushwaha told ANI.
Meanwhile, Datia Superintendent of Police (SP) Mayur Khandelwal outlined the stringent security measures in place to ensure smooth operations and maintain law and order throughout the day.
"Today is a crucial day, and a comprehensive three-layer security arrangement is in place, covering the inner, middle, and outer perimeters. Adequate parking arrangements have also been made. We are ensuring that no unauthorised person gains entry; access is being strictly controlled. Every effort is being made to prevent overcrowding and ensure effective crowd management at all times," SP Khandelwal told ANI.
The police officer further confirmed that over 400 personnel have been deployed on-site, backed by a reserve force of nearly 100 officers on standby.
"Additionally, adequate security arrangements are in place across the city. Suspicious individuals, whether identified through social media or local intelligence, have already been flagged, and preventive action has been taken against them," SP Khandelwal added.
The voting for the high-stakes Datia Assembly by-election in Madhya Pradesh was held on July 30.
The bypoll was necessitated following the disqualification of sitting Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti in April, after a Delhi court convicted and sentenced him in a bank fraud and cheating case.