In Mathura, BJP banking on RLD’s Jat pull to counter ‘outsider’ narrative against Hema Malini

The construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya has instilled faith in the voters of Mathura that the BJP governments under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will see the dispute over the city’s Shahi Idgah mosque complex and the Krishna Janmasthan resolved in the courts, just as it has for the Ayodhya dispute.

Though the dispute of the Shahi Idgah and the Krishna Janmasthan doesn’t find mention in the speeches of BJP leaders, locals are discussing the issue. However, this alone is unlikely to decide the vote for Hindus in Mathura, which goes to polls on Friday.

While Hindutva is expected to play a role in the western UP constituency, the BJP’s two-term sitting MP and actor-turned-politician Hema Malini is facing a stiff challenge from her opponents, who are calling her “pravasi (outsider)” and “Bambai wali saansad (Mumbai’s MP)” while appealing to the voters to elect a local “brijwasi” this time.

The BJP will be hoping to counter the anti-incumbency with its alliance with the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) drawing in the Jats. In Mathura, an estimated 45% of the constituency’s population is Jat. But a section of the community too favours local candidates, though according to Malini’s supporters, she is a “Jat bahu” – a reference to her husband and actor Dharmendra, who is a Jat.

The BSP candidate Suresh Singh, who belongs to the Jat community, repeatedly reminded voters: “Dhyan rakhiye, apna hi kaam ayega (Keep in mind, only one of your own will help you).” Incidentally, before joining the BSP, Singh had been associated with the VHP.

Congress candidate Mukesh Dhangar, who has the support of ally SP, has also attacked the BJP candidate along similar lines saying, “Nahi chahiye pravasi, abki