Congress tries to make it local vs outsider against Hema Malini; Rajput anger towards BJP poses some challenge

Dream girl Hema Malini is eyeing a third-time from Mathura, but the BJP candidate is facing more challenges from within this time. Faced with an 'outsider tag', opponents are trying to make this contest as one between 'Brajvasi or Bhari/ Pravasi'. The region where Mathura lies is called Braj.

Malini's main challenger, Congress candidate Mukesh Dhangar, has put up hoardings across the constituency with the slogan "Nahi chahiye pravasi, abki baar Brajwasi (don't want an outsider, want a local from Braj now)." Even during their door-door canvassing, Congress workers are pitching the contest as one between Brajwasi vs Pravasi, not a BJP vs Congress fight.

BSP candidate Suresh Singh has also put up posters taking a dig at Hema Malini calling her 'Bambai Wali Sansad' (MP belonging to Mumbai).

BJP workers are urging voters to elect Prime Minister Narendra Modi and seeking votes in the names of Modi and Yogi.

At a sweet shop near Vrinadavan bus stand, Murari Sharma says there was a 'charm' for Hema Malini in the earlier elections but now people want a local face but eventually many will vote for Modi.

Standing next to him, Vikas Tomar, who runs a shop of seeds and fertilisers, says this time RLD is fighting in alliance with BJP and it will consolidate the Jat votes in favour of Hema Malini.

When asked about the caste equations and the Modi factor, Suresh Chand, a Congress worker at the party's office in Mathura, said that the main issue is "Brajvasi verses Pravasi and Hema Malini ji is Pravasi. She hardly stays here."

Another factor which could pose some challenge for Hema Malini is the anger among Rajputs towards the BJP. Mathura has more than 4 lakh Rajputs, almost second-largest grouping after Jats and more than three lakh brahmins. There are around two lakh Muslims, around one lakh Dalits and a few other castes as well.

BJP allying with RLD has strengthened the caste equations for BJP. The party won this Lok Sabha seat last time by more than three lakh votes.