Film actors trying their luck in politics is not a new phenomenon in India. From MGR to NTR, Jayalalithaa, Bachchan, Haasan, and now Bhojpuri megastar Dinesh Lal Yadav aka Nirahua... the list is endless. Of the parties which have fielded candidates in 2019 LS polls, the BJP, it seems, is relying heavily on the star cast. At least, when it comes to women candidates in Uttar Pradesh.
Of the four women candidates declared so far, three have a direct connect to the film industry. However, none of them is new to politics.
Jayaprada who has been fielded by the BJP from Rampur has earlier been MP twice in 2004 and 2009. BJP strategists are confident that Jayaprada would turn the table on Azam Khan. Talking to DNA, BJP's Rampur in charge Dr Chandramohan said that since Jayaprada had been MP twice from Rampur she has a huge following in the town. Interestingly, Rampur is one of the few seats where the BJP is banking on the candidate's charisma more than that of PM Modi, a senior leader said.
The battle is evenly poised at Mathura. Dreamgirl Hema Malini after winning 2014 Lok Sabha election riding on Modi wave is trying her luck for the second time here. While she defeated RLD leader Jayant Chaudhary in 2014, Jayant has shifted to Baghpat this time and instead Kunwar Narendra Singh is RLD nominee from gathbandhan.
BJP leaders in Mathura feel BJP's nationalist agenda along with Hema Malini's cine star image is neutralising all the negative factors.
And last, but not the least, Smriti Irani, minister in Modi govt, has been trying her luck to win Lok Sabha seat since 2004. She unsuccessfully contested against Kapil Sibal from Chandni Chowk in Delhi in 2004 and gave a tough fight to Congress chief Rahul Gandhi in Amethi in 2014.
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 "Jayaprada, Hema Malini and Smriti Irani")
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