In Mathura, BJP Eyes Hema Hattrick In ‘Nal And Kamal’ Partnership — Ground Report

Krishna and Krishnajanmbhoomi are at the core of every political decision and discourse in Brajbhoomi, currently.

The instances are several: “Ayodhya mein Ram Mandir Modi ne banvaya kyonki Thakurji chahte thhe (Krishna wanted Modi to build the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya).”

Or: “Modi aur Yogi kanahiya ke kehne par chalte hain (Modi and Yogi follow the path of Krishna).”

Or: “Modi ka kiya sara vikas bansiwaale ko hee samarpit hai (all of Modi’s work towards development is dedicated to Krishna).

Even diverging statements are kept within the Braj emotion: “If Hema Malini calls herself Krishna’s gopi, why was she not born in Mathura, why does she spend more time in Mumbai?” And so on.

Once again — third time in a row — Mathura seems ready to make Narendra Modi win by voting for Hema Malini.

The BJP is campaigning on the development and infrastructural improvement brought by the Modi-led government at the Centre, welfare schemes and policies dedicated to the poor, the welfare policies dedicated to women, the building and pran pratishtha of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, Hema Malini’s attention to cultural facets of Mathura and her direct participation, her attention to gender and facets of local life centred on pilgrimage and tourism.

Supporters and workers of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) told this writer that “narazgi” of Rajputs which made news during the first phase of polls in Western UP, has not gained ground in Mathura.

Farmers at Amit Shah’s rally in Mathura told this writer: “There is no reason for ‘narazgi’. Dharm ka kaam ek dum badhiya chal raha hai. MLA se lekar Modi ji sab dharmik hain. Betiyon ko suraksha hai. Desh ka maan hai.”  

Mathura seems unique in that aspect. This writer came across no sign nor mention of any disagreement or favourtism based on caste related to the party’s Lok Sabha candidate on ground.

At Amit Shah’s rally, influential leaders — including popular MLAs belonging to different castes spoke in Hema Malini’s support.

In 2019, Hema Malini secured 60.79 per cent votes while Kunwar Narendra Singh of RLD (Rashtriya Lok Dal) under the Mahagathbandhan, secured 34.21 per cent votes over the total votes polled in the constituency.

Hema Malini got 6,71,293 votes in the presence of RLD as opponent. With the RLD in alliance with the BJP in 2024, she is expected to secure a better winning margin.

Mukesh Pathak of Congress secured 28,084 votes in 2019 — just 2.54 per cent of the total votes polled. Hema Malini will face Mukesh Dhangar of Congress this time.

The Braj Perspective

In Gokul, where Krishna grew up, people’s perspectives on politics and relationships, their ideas on the “giver” and the “receiver”, emerge from their understanding of the bond that “Kanhaiya” shared with his friend Sudama.

It is best realised when Raju Soni, a voter in Gokul, explains the reason behind the success of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in bringing development and preserving dharma.

“Modi’s aastha in Thakur ji is well-known. He has been continuously serving dharma. This attitude helps him sustain his pace in bringing massive developmental work not only in Brajbhoomi but the entire nation. Look at the massive projects he has undertaken across the country.”   

Soni brings in the analogy of Krishna and Sudama to explain Modi’s inclusivity.

“Modi thought of people from the jhuggi-jhopdi. That was a breakthrough in his success in bringing vikas. When Krishna showered his affection on Sudama, entire Braj would witness their bond and Sudama’s happiness. The same is happening in Modi’s rule. The vikas has been happening non-stop despite the efforts from the vipaksh to stall it. People have been coming to Braj in lakhs each day. It is all connected.”

In Brindavan, in the lanes that lead to the Banke Bihari Mandir, shopkeepers this writer spoke to said that Prime Minister Modi’s consistent efforts in rejuvenating the centres of devotion and pilgrimage have led to a massive increase in the tourist turnout. They mention that Modi has transformed the perspective of the Hindu youth towards dharma.

They say: “Earlier, youth visiting Mathura would hesitate to wear tilak and tulsi malas. Today, these shops around us sell heaps and heaps of malas and other symbols of faith and dharma’s celebration. Youth is not shy of adorning the tilak — not anymore.”

Other shopkeepers add: “This awareness has made a direct impact on our lives, on the lives of the people of Brajbhoomi.”  Although many shopkeepers in Vrindavan do add that they want the BJP governments to focus more on improving cleanliness, and creating job opportunities for youth.

In Mathura town, many shopkeepers surrounding the Krishna Janmabhoomi Mandir told this writer that the team of Modi-Yogi-Hema Malini is a boon.

Radhe Shyam, a local devotee said: “This entire area has gone through massive positive changes since Modi and Yogi ji have come to power. The clean roads are a contrast to the dirty and bumpy roads of Mathura before they came to power. Contrary to popular belief in the media, Hema Malini is doing good work for Mathura.”

Daksh, a shopkeeper selling objects of dev-sringar and vastras outside the Krishna Janmbhoomi Mandir told this author: “The feeling of social and cultural security is real — particularly in areas surrounding the Krishna Janmabhoomi.”   

Chaudhary Sher Singh, a farmer in Barsana told this writer that he watched the telecast of Ram Mandir's pran pratishtha. “Dharm ke sab kaam ho rahe hain. Vipaksh khatam haigo (the opposition is over)." He grows paddy, bajra and wheat and said that he is doing fine when it comes to farming.

“Apna khana kamana gujara haigo (one has to work for one's own living and earnings).”

He plans to travel to Ayodhya soon for the darshan of Ramlalla. Singh adds that one thing that makes Yogi Adityanath and the BJP unbeatable is the combination of good law and order and the celebration of dharma.

"The security of women was deeply problematic before Yogi Adityanath's term. Now our tensions are over," he said. 

Bade Chaudhary Saab’s Legacy

When Amit Shah addressed Mathura as “Chaudhary Sahab ki bhumi” at his rally in Chhatikara, Mathura, Jayant Chaudhary, who was seated at the front row for Hema Malini’s campaign, straightened up on his seat.

Hari Om Pujari, a supporter of the RLD, is a farmer. “Kisan ki value badhi hai. Bade Chaudhary saab ko Bharat Ratna ek badhiya kadam thha, sab bahut khush hain,” he says.  

Jayant Chaudhary’s own communication and connection with the farmers of Mathura is known to the BJP and Hema Malini in particular.

Shah said that it was PM Modi who thought about honouring “Chaudhary Saab” for his unparalleled contribution to securing the land of farmers. “Chaudhary Charan Singh ne kisaanon ki dharti ko, bhoomi ko, surakshit karne ka kaam kiya (he worked to secure the land of the farmers)." Shah read the audience.

This Mathura rally, like any political rally taking place outside Mathura city area, was attended by farmers from Chhata, Goverdhan, Mathura, Baldev and Maanth — the Vidhan Sabhas in Mathura. From the dais, Shah saw that farmers in huge numbers were present at the outer boundaries of the rally grounds.

Shah upped his voice in order to reach them: “PM Modi has honoured the farmers of Uttar Pradesh by honouring Chaudhary Charan Singh.”

Shah gave a special thanks to the efforts of Gayatri Devi in consolidating the strength of farmers of Mathura. Gayatri Devi was the wife of Chaudhary Charan Singh (and Jayant Chaudhary’s grandmother).

Shah’s mention of Gayatri Devi was significant to the gathering even though women were present in scant numbers at this rally.

In their interaction with this writer, farmers of Mathura barely mentioned Gayatri Devi when talking fondly of “Bade Chaudhary Saab”.

In the presence of Mathura’s sitting MP, the mention to Gayatri Devi managed to revive a gendered connection in power, politics, democracy and the bond that the Chaudhary family shares with the people of Mathura.

Amit Shah focused on a quick recounting of the welfare policies and developmental work of Narendra Modi in the Mathura speech. He laid out a contrast in the “do khema” — two sides — of politics.

Shah attacked the Congress on scams. Sharing words from PM Modi’s political dictionary, he said that Congress had done “atkana latkana, bhatkana” on Ram Temple. Shah did not let the voter-fervour at the rally ground go waste and levelled attacks on Rahul Gandhi too.

With mischief in his tone, he said that he would reveal something about the first phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha poll "if people at the rally ensured that they won't spill it to others".

He said to the laughing crowds: "SP-Congress ka soopda saaf."

Linking two seats of two deities, two destinations and two bastions of political power, he told voters at the rally that they have to make the BJP win: “Mathura hote hue Kashi tak kamal ko vijayi banana hai”.

Jayant Chaudhary’s interaction with Mathura from BJP’s dais in Shah's presence was a carefully-constructed one. He mentioned that the policies and plans made in the previous regimes would not reach the ground whereas in the current government, all plans and policies reached the ground.

Any mention of the rise in the tourism footfall in Brajbhoomi before and after the pandemic would point to Hema Malini's term as Member of Parliament.

Yet Chaudhary went ahead with it. He said that during pre-Covid times, Mathura witnessed “one crore sixty lakh” tourists visiting per year, whereas post Covid, the number had surpassed that figure and shot up to “six crore visitors per year”.

Jayant Chaudhary addressed Hema Malini and spunkily added that before they were "aamne saamne" (in 2019), she came to campaign for him in 2009.

“Today 15 years later, I have come to campaign for you.”

He added, “I must say that you and I will not contest against each other ever again. If I fight Lok Sabha election, I am sure you will come to campaign for me.”  

He mentioned that Mathura has witnessed a lease of developmental work in Hema Malini’s term. "Perhaps, the building of a flyover from Noida up to the Banke Bihari Temple (Brindavan) would help small traders and majdoors,” he said.

The Crop Of Hope

The alliance is building hope in farmers for better MSPs for their crop (largely wheat, sugarcane, paddy). Radheyshaam, a farmer from Maanth said that there is no comparison to the BJP in developmental works, inclusive social work and dharmic rejuvenation but there are two areas it lacks in.

He added: “If the BJP performed better for farmers, and for providing employment, it would not even need a campaign in 2024.”

Bhagwan Singh, a farmer from Maanth Vidhan Sabha told this writer that people in the villages are jubilant for two reasons. One: the honouring of Chaudhary Charan Singh with the Bharat Ratna. Two: the forming of an alliance between BJP and RLD.

He said, “Nearly 80 per cent of Jats are particularly happy for Jayant Singh owing to these two developments. The candidate doesn't matter in Mathura. There is another important factor. The entire election in this part of Uttar Pradesh is going to be great for the BJP owing to the good work being done by Modi ji and Yogi Adityanath."

BJP's dominance in the five Vidhan Sabhas is not the lone factor in its comfort in Mathura. The popularity of the MLAs — particularly of Meghshyam Singh, Rajesh Chaudhary and Lakshmi Narayan Chaudhary can be felt on ground.

Shrikant Sharma, Mathura MLA, who is known for his work in bolstering agriculture by improving the electricity supply in Western UP during the first term of the Yogi Adityanath government continues to lead.

Satish Gawar, a farmer, was all praise for the work of Maanth MLA Rajesh Chaudhary. “Good work is happening at all levels in this government. Rajesh Chaudhary is completely aligned with development-centric governance.”

The mention of Meghshyam Singh — Goverdhan MLA — came up when Ratan Singh a farmer from Goverdhan praised the Modi-Yogi team for its success in improving law and order, the celebration of dharm in Ayodhya and Mathura, and in ensuring the safety of women and girls.

"Meghshyam Singh ek dum parivarik aadmi hain, bahut achcha kaam kar rahe hain. Behen-betiyon ki suraksha mein is sarkar ko bahut achchi safalta mili hai."  

Hema Malini — The Subject Of Mixed Feelings

The voters’ perception of Hema Malini is a complex weave of contradictions. From supporters of the BJP this writer spoke to, roughly emerge four categories based on their perception of Hema Malini.

One: voters who believe that she forms a perfect team with Yogi Adityanath for the development, cultural upliftment of and rejuvenation in Brajbhoomi. Sections of voters — particularly those who live in Mathura — the city — believe that she is doing everything a Member of Parliament should be doing, is expected to do.

Daksh, a voter outside the Krishna Janmabhoomi Mandir said: "She is doing excellent work for Mathura and its people. Those who criticise her for her Bollywood background forget that it is because of that very background she is able to do raise the awareness, concerns and deliver the work required for a temple city.”

Two: those who believe that Hema Malini is a good candidate, aligned with Narendra Modi, is doing enough for Mathura, but is not seen interacting with the people or visiting the villages.

Farmers at the Amit Shah rally held in Chhatikara said that Hema Malini lacks the willingness to build interaction with people in the villages. The elders among them said: “She needs to spend more time in the villages and listen to us. Kuchh hamara sunn to sakti hain.”  

Three: those who believe that Hema Malini is not a good candidate, that the BJP needs a replacement for her, and that she wins only because they want to vote for Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath.

A youth BJP worker is not happy with her candidature the third time. “She is not from Mathura. She doesn’t even know how many temples there are in Brindavan. There are good leaders in the organisation within Mathura. Why are they not chosen for representation? She manages to win because of Modi ji.”

Four: those who like the work of Hema Malini, swear by the Modi-Yogi team, but feel that she could have done, much, much more. Hema Malini's attendance in Parliament (2019-2024) was 50 per cent. Her presence in Mathura has been a point of discussion for 10 years.

The Brajwasi’s Rightful Urge To Improve

The intersection of lanes leading to the Dwarkadheesh temple in Gokul is punctuated by a tree that serves as a unique ritualistic marker. The tree overlooks the Yashoda Kund — a pond named after Krishna and Balram's mother.

Wrapped with rectangular strips of yellow, saffron, red and pink, its trunk and boughs seem like they are up in flying flames. Babu sits cross-legged on the boundary between the tree and the kund.

He has mixed feelings about Modi and Yogi and declares that he is ready to debate with both these leaders. He is a strong supporter of the BJP.

"Krishna was born in Mathura but he was brought up in Gokul. Gokul is the root. Modi ji and Yogi ji have done immensely good work in all spheres, for the nation, for the public, even for people like me. But they have completely ignored Gokul.”  

He mentions that the rejuvenation of the Yashoda Kund hasn't happened.

“Every time there is news about the rejuvenation and preservation of kunds in Brajbhoomi, the names of seven to eight kunds are mentioned, but Yashoda Kund is missing in the list. Thousands of visitors come to Gokul each day, yet this place hasn't received the attention of these two leaders.”

His notions are not misplaced. The lanes and bylanes in Gokul present a picture of administrative neglect.  

There is no doubt that the BJP needs to up its swachchata game and identity in Brajbhoomi. Cleaning drains, roads, and lanes in Vrindavan and Gokul is underway, but the "Swachchata" movement appears weak in Brajbhoomi as a whole.

Despite strong support for the Modi-Yogi duo, voters are dissatisfied with cleanliness, especially in Gokul, Vrindavan, and Barsana, and lack of employment opportunities for youth.

There are two potent ideas to break away from the current state of affairs: One, proactive MPs and MLAs. Two, a Mathura-specific, new public awareness campaign initiated by PM Modi, and overseen on the ground by Yogi, with focused efforts on cleanliness and employment.

There was not one who opposed Hema Malini’s presence for Mathura’s well-being or expressed doubt on her intentions. Voters have trust in her, but they want her to be present more in Mathura than “in Mumbai” (they don't mention “Delhi”). Like her character Basanti, she needs to ride more — on her own.

This report is part of Swarajya's 50 Ground Stories Project - an attempt to throw light on themes and topics that are often overlooked or looked down. You can support this initiative by sponsoring as little as ₹2999. Click here for more details.