Congress Suspends Former MLA Rajendra Bharti Ahead of Datia Bypoll Results

In a major political development ahead of the Datia Assembly constituency by-election results, the Congress party has suspended former MLA Rajendra Bharti from its primary membership with immediate effect. The decision was formally approved by All India Congress Committee (AICC) President Mallikarjun Kharge following internal conflict and mutual sabotage accusations between Bharti and the party’s official candidate, Ghanshyam Singh.

What Happened

The disciplinary action against Rajendra Bharti was announced through an official statement issued by Harish Chaudhary, the Congress general secretary in-charge of Madhya Pradesh. The suspension was made public a day before the scheduled counting of votes for the Datia seat, which went to polls on July 30 with a voter turnout of 71.44 percent, as recorded by the Election Commission.

The by-election in Datia was necessitated in April following the disqualification of Rajendra Bharti, who was convicted in a bank fraud case. For the vacant seat, Congress chose Ghanshyam Singh, a former MLA from the neighbouring Sewda constituency and a member of the erstwhile Datia royal family. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) nominated debutant Ashutosh Tiwari, overlooking former State Home Minister Narottam Mishra, who had previously represented Datia for three consecutive terms before his defeat to Bharti in the 2023 Assembly elections.

As campaigning drew to a close, internal friction surfaced publicly when candidate Ghanshyam Singh accused Bharti of sabotaging his campaign and colluding with the BJP. Bharti and his family denied the charges and made counter-allegations.

Bharti’s son, Ankit Bharti, stated that Ghanshyam Singh had long-standing ties with BJP leader Narottam Mishra and had previously opposed Congress candidates. Ankit Bharti alleged that Singh received funding from Mishra, who was unhappy after being denied the BJP ticket. Conversely, Singh alleged that Bharti accepted financial assistance from BJP leaders to assist BJP candidate Ashutosh Tiwari.

Key Highlights

• Congress suspended former Datia MLA Rajendra Bharti from primary membership with immediate effect following approval from AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge.
• The suspension was communicated by Harish Chaudhary, Congress general secretary in-charge of Madhya Pradesh.
• The action followed allegations by Congress candidate Ghanshyam Singh that Bharti attempted to sabotage his campaign and colluded with the BJP.
• Bharti’s camp rejected the claims, alleging instead that Ghanshyam Singh was working with senior BJP leader Narottam Mishra.
• The Datia bypoll was triggered by Bharti’s disqualification in April due to a conviction in a bank fraud case.
• Voting took place on July 30 with a 71.44 percent turnout, and vote counting is scheduled for August 3.

Why This Matters

The suspension underscores significant internal factionalism within the Congress party in Datia just before election results are announced. Bharti and former BJP Home Minister Narottam Mishra have maintained a political rivalry lasting over a decade, ending in Mishra’s election defeat in 2023. A leader close to Bharti noted that Bharti also played a role in the BJP’s decision to deny Mishra a ticket for this by-election. The allegations of cross-party backing and funding highlight the volatile political dynamic surrounding the Datia contest.

What to Watch Next

The official outcome of the Datia Assembly by-election will be decided on August 3 when the Election Commission counts the votes. Political observers will watch whether Congress candidate Ghanshyam Singh or BJP candidate Ashutosh Tiwari secures the seat following the intense campaigning and last-minute party suspension.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was Rajendra Bharti suspended by the Congress party?

Rajendra Bharti was suspended after Congress bypoll candidate Ghanshyam Singh accused him of failing to support the party’s campaign, attempting to sabotage the election effort, and colluding with the BJP.

What caused the Datia Assembly seat to become vacant?

The Datia seat became vacant in April after former MLA Rajendra Bharti was disqualified following his conviction in a bank fraud case.

Who are the main candidates in the Datia bypoll?

The Congress fielded former Sewda MLA Ghanshyam Singh, while the BJP fielded debutant Ashutosh Tiwari.

When were the votes cast and when will results be declared?

Polling took place on July 30 with a 71.44 percent turnout, and the counting of votes is set for August 3.

Source: Based on official statements and reporting from The Hindu.