Datia (Madhya Pradesh) [India], August 3 : Following initial counting rounds indicating a strong performance for the Indian National Congress in the high-stakes Datia Assembly by-election, Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha expressed confidence that the party's lead would grow, calling the outcome a sign that "democracy is returning" to Madhya Pradesh.
Speaking to ANI, Tankha congratulated Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Jitu Patwari, Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar and the party's leadership for their campaign in the bypoll.
Highlighting PCC chief Jitu Patwari's 15-day campaign stint in Datia, Tankha framed the bypoll as a crucial stepping stone toward reclaiming Madhya Pradesh in 2028.
"Look, it's an election. I feel this lead will be maintained and might even grow. But democracy is returning to this state. Congress will emerge with new energy, and the young leadership of Congress... in which I congratulate PCC President Jitu Patwari Ji, LOP Umang Singhar Ji, and the entire leadership. The way you all fought this battle, presented Congress's stance, and united the people of Datia--for this, you all deserve congratulations," Tankha said.
The Datia bypoll, held on July 30, was triggered following the disqualification of sitting Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti. The seat--long considered a bastion of former BJP Home Minister Narottam Mishra--saw a fierce contest between Congress candidate Ghanshyam Singh and BJP's debut nominee Ashutosh Tiwari.
Tankha asserted that the Congress party in Madhya Pradesh has shed its past disorganisation and built a diverse coalition ahead of the 2028 state assembly elections.
"An organised Congress and the determination of the workers. Congress is no longer disorganised as you might have felt earlier. Now, this is a young, organised Congress. Gen Z is with Congress, farmers are with Congress, OBCs are with Congress, and SC, ST, and women are also with Congress. Just wait, the results of the 2028 elections will show how big a shift is coming to Madhya Pradesh," he said.
Addressing the situation regarding former Datia MLA Rajendra Bharti, whose disqualification necessitated the bypoll, Tankha acknowledged his past struggles and indicated that the party leadership would support him moving forward.
"See, it's not a matter of right or wrong. When the party receives information, it takes action. But all of us are eyewitnesses to the suffering and struggle that Rajendra Bharti Ji went through over the last 5 to 10 years. Even if a mistake was made on his part, we will definitely place a plea for forgiveness on his behalf before the party," Tankha said.
Tankha attributed the Congress's performance in the bypoll to the efforts of party workers and leadership, saying that the victory would help the party prepare for the 2028 Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections.
"The Congress workers and leadership were determined this time that defeating them in Datia was necessary to clear our path for 2028, and that will be visible now," he said.
He also praised Patwari for campaigning in Datia for 15 days, saying that the PCC president had made the bypoll a "personal election effort."
In the 2023 MP Assembly elections, Congress's Rajendra Bharti defeated BJP heavyweight Narottam Mishra. However, Bharti lost his seat after being convicted in a cheating case earlier in 2026.
The BJP snubbed former Home Minister Narottam Mishra to field debutant Ashutosh Tiwari, leading to visible friction among local cadres.
With Jitu Patwari making the by-election a personal campaign mission, a Congress victory in Datia serves as a major morale booster for the opposition, setting the tone for the state's political trajectory leading into 2028.
The voting for the high-stakes Datia Assembly by-election in Madhya Pradesh was held on July 30.