Mathura: In her third bid for the Lok Sabha as a representative of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from Mathura, Hema Malini, actress-turned-politician, revealed she views herself as a devoted follower of Lord Krishna, akin to a “gopi” in her allegiance.

Addressing the media, the sitting MP emphasized that her foray into politics was neither for personal recognition nor for financial gain. Describing herself as a “Gopi of Krishna,” Hema Malini believes that by dutifully serving the people of Mathura, the region beloved by Lord Krishna, she will earn divine favor.

“My efforts to serve the Brijwasis continue in this regard,” she remarked. She expressed her appreciation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP President J P Nadda for granting her the chance to represent Mathura for a third tenure.

Her foremost ambition is the rejuvenation of the ‘Braj 84 Kos Parikrama’, which is in dire need of restoration. “A key focus will be to transform Braj 84 Kos Parikrama into a serene, engaging, and visually stunning experience for visitors,” Hema Malini stated, building on her two terms as an MP from Mathura.

She acknowledged Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari’s generosity in approving her request and allocating Rs 5,000 crore for the revitalization of Braj 84 Kos Parikrama.

“As the detailed project report (DPR) proposes a budget of Rs 11,000 crore, I intend to secure additional funding for the creation of superior infrastructure that caters to the needs of pilgrims and captivates international visitors,” she said.

She highlighted how tourism could unlock opportunities for employment within the community. Another priority on her agenda is the rejuvenation of the Yamuna River.

Hema Malini pointed out that she had previously raised concerns in Parliament regarding the contamination of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers prior to the launch of the Namami Gange project. She noted that under the leadership of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Adityanath Yogi, the Ganga’s waters had become pristine at Prayagraj. However, she claimed that the Delhi government had not shown similar commitment to addressing the pollution issues of the Yamuna, resulting in the continued contamination of the river in Mathura.

In her view, a clean Yamuna in Mathura cannot be realized without tackling the river’s pollution in Delhi and Haryana. Currently, both states use Yamunotri water while simultaneously discharging wastewater into the Yamuna, Hema Malini said, asserting her intention to work towards a cleaner river.

She expressed her gratitude towards Yogi for forming the UP Braj Tirth Vikas Parishad at her urging to focus on the development of Mathura. The initiative encompasses projects such as the creation of Sant Gram in Vrindavan, the restoration of kunds, and the development of Raskhan Samadhi, Sur Sadhana Sthali at Parasauli, and the Govardhan Parikrama.

Substantial progress has been made on projects including the restoration of Raskhan Samadhi, Sur Sadhana Sthali, and Govardhan Parikrama. Although other projects are ongoing, the pace has been hindered by obstacles such as encroachments, she said. Hema Malini also acknowledged Yogi’s efforts in designating Vrindavan, Barsana, Nandgaon, Govardhan, Gokul, Mathura, and Baldeo as “teerth sthals” (pilgrimage sites) upon her request.

Other priorities include establishing a broad-gauge rail link between Mathura junction and Vrindavan, linking the holy city to Aligarh, building a double-track rail line between Mathura and Kasganj, replacing hard water with water from the Ganga River, and founding a central university to support young people in pursuing competitive exams.