Mishra, once one of Madhya Pradesh’s most powerful ministers, had openly expected to reclaim the seat. The BJP instead chose Tiwari, a resident of Sevda town in Datia, active in the state party organisation. In a carefully worded statement outside the BJP office, Tiwari acknowledged Mishra as “a very senior leader, my guardian,” claiming Mishra had assured him of his campaign support, a version that sits uneasily with the scenes unfolding on the streets of Datia.
