MP Deputy CM Visits Datia Amid By-Election Tensions

Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Deora has said that'small things'happen in big families. This statement comes after the ruckus after senior BJP leader Narottam Mishra was denied a ticket for the Datia assembly by-election on 30 July. After reaching Datia on Saturday evening, Deora offered prayers at the Maa Pitambara temple and met local BJP leaders and workers. The by-election was necessitated by the expiry of Congress MLA Rajendra Bharti's assembly membership after his conviction in a fraud case. Voting will be held on 30 July and counting of votes will take place on 3 August. The BJP announced Ashutosh Tiwari as its candidate for the by-election on Friday and ignored Mishra, the former state home minister. After this decision, Mishra's supporters held violent protests and protesters blocked National Highway-44 for about 12 hours. Police used tear gas and detained many people before stone-pelting and injured in the clashes. According to sources, several policemen of the state police force, including SP Deoria, were sent to Datia to pacify the protesters.