My job is to work, not sit in people’s homes — Hema Malini, BJP’s Mathura pick vying for 3rd term

Vrindavan: Actor-turned-MP and Bharatiya Janata Party’s Mathura candidate for the Lok Sabha polls, Hema Malini, is hopeful of the Krishna Janmabhoomi row coming to an end in the next five years. “We will surely witness something grand soon,” she told ThePrint in an interview Monday, adding that it will be a matter of good fortune for her.

Hema Malini is looking to represent Mathura in the Lower House of Parliament for a third consecutive term.

Since the consecration of Ram temple in Ayodhya in January, discussions about the Krishna Janmasthan have intensified. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had said that it would be Mathura’s turn soon. “This should be done in the next few years. If it doesn’t happen, we will wait and see,” said Hema Malini.

At a meeting in Chhatarpur on 22 April, Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav also referred to the BJP’s plans for Mathura after Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir and Ujjain’s Mahakal Lok, and said that in order for this to happen, the people have to vote for the BJP.

On 14 December 2023, the Allahabad High Court had allowed a court-monitored survey of the Shahi Idgah mosque complex located next to the Janmabhoomi temple, but on 16 January, the Supreme Court had stayed the order. The stay was extended last week by the apex court.

Hema Malini’s top priority, however, is the Banke Bihari Temple Corridor. The Allahabad High Court gave the nod for the construction of the project last year. “It should be done soon. A lot of devotees visit the temple. But there are problems due to lack of space,” she said.

The two-time MP is confident of her victory. “My fans and supporters asked me to contest elections for the third time. The projects that I started in the last 10 years can be completed in the next term, which is why I decided to contest,” she told ThePrint. She added that BJP gave her another chance because of her work in the constituency.

Mathura is set to go to polls on 26 April in the second phase. Hema Malini is being challenged by INDIA bloc candidate Mukesh Dhangar.

No RLD face-off this time

Mathura has been a BJP stronghold for years. The BJP and the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) have locked horns for this seat on multiple occasions, but this time, RLD is a member of the NDA, which makes things easier for the BJP candidate. “With RLD, the vote share will be higher. We were always face-to-face with Jayant Chaudhary’s party, but now we expect better results,” she said.

In 2014, Hema Malini had defeated RLD’s Jayant Chaudhary in Mathura by more than 4 lakh votes. In 2019, her vote share was over 60 percent.

Before that, in 2009, Chaudhary was elected the MP there. Back then, she had, in fact, campaigned for him. “I promise that I will never contest elections against her in future,” Chaudhary told a meeting in Mathura on 21 April.

But the BJP and Hema Malini are worried due to the low voter turnout in the first phase of the Lok Sabha polls. On Monday, in several of her meetings in Mathura’s Mant assembly constituency, the veteran actor appealed to the people, especially women, to vote. The April 19 voter turnout recorded a dip compared to 2019, especially in the seats, where the NDA had won five years ago.

“We insist that the voters cast their vote. Everyone knows that we [BJP] will win, but the margin will depend on the public. It is important for them to go and vote,” Hema Malini told ThePrint. “The problem is that after saying that the BJP will win, they remain in their houses. But at the time of elections, every person’s vote is necessary and important. My vote share will increase only if people go to vote.”

BJP MP Hema Malini during her election campaign in Mant, Mathura | Photo: Krishan Murari | ThePrint

BJP MP Hema Malini during her election campaign in Mant, Mathura | Photo: Krishan Murari | ThePrint

‘I work on implementing plans, can’t meet people every day’

Several Mathura residents have often complained that their MP is not connected with the public. She believes, on the contrary, that the job of an MP is not to make door-to-door visits.

“An MP is not supposed to go and sit in people’s homes. That is not my job. Can the prime minister go to every person’s house? MPs go to public meetings. Apart from that, our MLAs are always with them. When people are in need, it is my responsibility to be among them, but when they aren’t, why should I?” she told ThePrint. “My work is in the office. I work on implementing the plans for public welfare. That is more important. If I sit among people, they will only take photos with me.”

Hema Malini said that she is currently working on the 84 Kosi Parikrama project. “I have taken up big tasks. Naali-kharanja (drains) and cleanliness are the responsibility of the MLAs and other local representatives. We have MLAs everywhere,” she added.

(Edited by Mannat Chugh)