Image source: Y20 India
On April 26, Friday, eight places in Uttar Pradesh will have elections for the Lok Sabha. These places are Amroha, Meerut, Baghpat, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, and Mathura. In Mathura, Hema Malini is trying to become an MP for the third time. This could be difficult for the BJP. There are many candidates contesting, so it’s going to be a tough competition.
Residents of Mathura Show Clear Preferences as Election Excitement Grows
In Mathura, as the Lok Sabha elections approach in 2024, the town is covered in election posters and banners, just like before. But something feels different this time around. The voters seem more determined and sure about who they want to support. Candidates are being promoted as the “child of the land of Lord Krishna” on billboards and vehicles all over town. Despite the familiar sights of election campaigns, there’s a noticeable shift in the mood among the people. They appear to have made up their minds about who they will vote for.
Locals Doubt Hema Malini’s Understanding of Mathura, Criticize Her Role in Campaign
Image source: NDTV
Hema Malini an Indian actress, director, producer, and politician. She is currently a member of the Lok Sabha from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), representing Mathura since 2014. Before that, she was a member of the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka from 2011 to 2012, and earlier from 2003 to 2009 as a BJP member. She’s best known for her roles in Hindi films, where she has played both comic and dramatic characters. Hema Malini is considered one of the most popular and successful leading actresses in mainstream Hindi cinema.
The BJP is in trouble because people are angry that Hema Malini, their candidate, is not around and they are calling her an ‘outsider’. This is causing problems for the BJP in the Mathura election on April 26. Hema Malini won by a lot of votes in 2014 and 2019.
This time, there’s a change in the Baghpat Lok Sabha elections. For the first time in fifty years, nobody from former Prime Minister Chaudhary Charan Singh’s family is running. Instead, the RLD has picked Rajkumar Sangwan as their candidate. He’s competing against Amarpal Sharma from the SP, who is a former MLA and a Brahmin leader. The BSP has made things more interesting by nominating Gurjar leader Praveen Bainsla as their candidate.
Shyam Sundar Sharma, an eight-time former MLA from the Mant Assembly constituency, openly opposes the candidacy of the star, Hema Malini. He claims that many within the BJP who are unhappy with her nomination are secretly supporting the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) candidate, Suresh Singh , who was associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for several years, is seen as an alternative by those dissatisfied with Malini.
Sharma challenged Hema Malini to name ten villages in the Mathura district, suggesting that she lacks genuine knowledge of the area. He accused her of being a figurehead imposed on the electorate, facing internal opposition within the BJP.
Challenges Ahead for Arun Govil in Meerut Seat Contest
Image source: Prabhat Khabar
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has chosen actor Arun Govil as their candidate for the Meerut Lok Sabha seat in western Uttar Pradesh. Arun Govil is famous for playing the role of Lord Ram in Ramanand Sagar’s TV show Ramayan. He joined the BJP in 2021. Arun Govil was born in Meerut. He is replacing the current MP Rajendra Agarwal for the BJP in this election.
The decision to nominate Arun Govil was based on the belief that his portrayal of Lord Ram would deeply connect with the people of Meerut, especially given the recent construction of the Ram Mandir and the BJP’s focus on the deity in their campaign. However, as the election excitement grows in Meerut, it’s becoming clear that the BJP might face challenges ahead.
In this constituency, where Muslims form 36% of the population, the lack of a Muslim candidate from the opposition is a big change. In the past, elections here were often divided along religious lines. But this time, all the main political parties, like the Congress-SP alliance and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), are putting forward Hindu candidates. This move might help decrease the chance of religious tension during the elections.
Image source: Times of India
As the 2024 elections in Uttar Pradesh come closer, it’s important for people to get involved in politics and think for themselves. They have the power to decide the state’s future. Voters should carefully think about the policies, promises, and past actions of all the candidates. By staying updated, talking about the issues, and voting, everyone can help make elections fairer and more accountable. The choices made during voting will show what the people want and will shape the future of Uttar Pradesh.
