A tug of war was always seen in the political history of Mathura Lok Sabha constituency. While Congress emerged victorious for four times, BJP claimed the seat for six times. The war is still on.
Mathura Lok Sabha constituency is one of the 80 Lok Sabha (parliamentary) constituencies in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. This constituency covers the entire Mathura district. According to Election Commission of India 2009 reports, the Mathura Parliamentary constituency (constituency number 17) has a total of 1,341,649 electorates out of which 593,726 are females and 747,923 are males.
Mathura’s legacy is a testament to India’s rich tapestry of history, spirituality, and cultural diversity. It continues to inspire awe and reverence, drawing pilgrims, scholars, and tourists alike to its sacred shores, where the timeless legacy of Lord Krishna and the spirit of ancient India live on.
Mathura Lok Sabha constituency holds significant historical importance in India. Here are some salient historical features:
Lord Krishna: Mathura, nestled along the banks of the sacred Yamuna River, boasts a history as ancient as Indian civilization itself. Revered as the birthplace of Lord Krishna, Mathura’s legacy is steeped in mythology, spirituality, and a rich tapestry of cultural heritage.
Vedic Era: The origins of Mathura can be traced back to the Vedic era, where it was known as Madhupura, meaning “the city of honey.” As one of the oldest cities in India, Mathura served as a thriving center of trade and commerce, connecting various regions of the Indian subcontinent. Its strategic location on trade routes contributed to its prosperity and cultural exchange. However, it is in the realm of spirituality and religion that Mathura truly shines. According to Hindu mythology, Mathura is the divine land where Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, was born. The city’s streets echo with tales of Krishna’s childhood exploits, from stealing butter to playing the flute, immortalized in Hindu scriptures like the Bhagavad Gita and the Mahabharata.
Medieval Period: Mathura’s religious significance extends beyond Hinduism. It is also deeply intertwined with Buddhism, as the place where Gautama Buddha is believed to have delivered his “Fire Sermon.” The presence of ancient Buddhist stupas and monasteries bears testimony to Mathura’s role as a center of Buddhist learning and pilgrimage. Throughout history, Mathura has been a witness to the rise and fall of empires. From the Mauryas to the Guptas and the Mughals, various dynasties left their mark on the city’s landscape, contributing to its architectural splendor. The towering spires of temples, intricately carved sculptures, and grand fortifications stand as monuments to Mathura’s glorious past.
Architectural Marvels: The city boasts a wealth of architectural marvels, ranging from ancient temples and stupas to Mughal-era forts and palaces. The Vishram Ghat, believed to be the spot where Lord Krishna rested after defeating the tyrant Kansa, is a sacred pilgrimage site. The Kusum Sarovar, Govardhan Hill, and Dwarkadhish Temple are among the many architectural wonders that adorn Mathura’s landscape.
Freedom Movement: During India’s struggle for independence, Mathura emerged as a bastion of resistance against British colonial rule. The city witnessed the fervor of freedom fighters who laid down their lives for the nation’s cause, igniting the flames of patriotism in the hearts of its residents.
Contemporary times: Mathura continues to thrive as a vibrant cultural hub and pilgrimage destination. Its bustling markets, colorful festivals, and spiritual aura attract devotees and tourists from far and wide. The legacy of Mathura transcends time and space, weaving together the threads of history, mythology, and spirituality. As the cradle of Lord Krishna’s divine leelas and a symbol of India’s cultural heritage, Mathura stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of the nation.
Overall, Mathura’s historical features encompass its religious, cultural, and political significance, making it a symbol of India’s rich and diverse heritage.
Members of Parliament
Raja Mahendra Pratap: He was an Indian freedom fighter, journalist, writer, revolutionary, President in the Provisional Government of India, which served as the Indian Government-in-exile during World War I from Kabul in 1915, and social reformist of British India. He also formed the Executive Board of India in Japan in 1940 during the Second World War. He formed the original Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj) in 1915 in Kabul which was supported by many Nations including Japan. He also took part in the Balkan War in the year 1911 along with his fellow students of Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College. He is popularly known as “Aryan Peshwa”
He was a member of the second Lok Sabha in 1957–1962. He was elected as an independent candidate in the 1957 Lok Sabha Elections from Mathura Lok Sabha constituency defeating Bharatiya Jana Sangh (which would later evolve into BJP) candidate and the future Prime Minister of India, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who was in the fourth position among the list of five candidates.
On 22 November 1957, Mahendra Pratap moved a bill in Lok Sabha to recognise the service to the country of people like Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, Barindra Kumar Ghosh and Bhupendranath Datta. The bill was defeated with 48 votes favouring it and 75 against it. He, along with other members walked out of the Lok Sabha saying “I hope every Bengali and every Maratha will also walk out”.
Chaudhary Digambar Singh: He was member of 3rd Lok Sabha from Mathura in Uttar Pradesh State, India. He was elected to 3rd, 4th, and 7th Lok Sabha from Mathura. He contested in the 1957 Lok Sabha Elections from Mathura Lok Sabha constituency as the INC candidate and was defeated by the independent candidate Raja Mahendra Pratap.
Chakleshwar Singh: He was an Indian politician. He was elected to the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament of India from the Mathura constituency of Uttar Pradesh as a member of the Indian National Congress.
Mani Ram Bagri: He was an Indian parliamentarian and political activist. He served three terms in the Indian Parliament, first from 1962 to 1967, and then again from 1977 to 1984 [Consisting of two terms: 1977-1980 and 1980-1984]. He belonged to the league of parliamentary opposition socialists like Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia and Jayaprakash Narayan. Known widely throughout North India during his tenure as the “de facto” Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Bagri was widely considered to be one of the most prolific Socialist leaders of his time. He was party to the nation’s international visits to the USSR, including the summit that led to the Tashkent Declaration, as well as the Warsaw Pact socialist republics in the 1960s. In the 1960s, he and his team of socialists were invited to the Socialist Republic of Romania and to observe the proceedings of the Politburo. He remained close allies with Moscow, however, he disapproved of the indiscriminate Communist authoritarian state established there. Bagri officially retired from politics in the late 1980s, following the demise of Indira Gandhi and the 1984 Anti-Sikh riots, in which he played an active part in preventing harm from coming to innocent Sikh civilians in Delhi and Hisar.
Manvendra Singh: He is a leader of Indian National Congress from Uttar Pradesh. He served as member of the Lok Sabha representing Mathura (Lok Sabha constituency). He was elected to 8th, 9th and 14th Lok Sabha.
Swami Sachchidanand Hari Sakshi Ji Maharaj: He was also known as Sakshi Maharaj, is an Indian political and religious leader belonging to the Bharatiya Janata Party. He won the 2014 general election from Unnao, Uttar Pradesh. He also won Indian general election in 1991 from Mathura, 1996 and 1998 from Farrukhabad. He was also a member of Rajya Sabha from 2000 to 2006, before being suspended for corruption. He holds a Ph.D. degree and runs various educational institutions and ashrams across India under the banner of Sakshi Maharaj Group for which he is also serving as its present director. He has been at the center of controversies for his reportedly Islamophobic views. While campaigning in the 2019 Lok Sabha Elections, he said that he feels it is the last election of the country. Sakshi Maharaj holds the title of Acharya Mahamandleshwar of Shri Nirmal Panchayati Akhada. He is also the director of Sakshi Maharaj Group which has 17 educational institutions in India and several ashrams
Chaudhary Tejveer Singh: He was born in Shahpur, Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh and is a leader of Bharatiya Janata Party from Uttar Pradesh.Currently Serving as Member of Parliament Rajya Sabha. Previously He served as a member of the Lok Sabha representing Mathura (Lok Sabha constituency). He was elected to 11th, 12th and 13th Lok Sabha. He is a former MP of Mathura has been elected unopposed as the chairman of Uttar Pradesh Cooperative Bank. With this, Samajwadi Party leader and former minister Shivpal Singh Yadav has been discharged.He was previously the Uttar Pradesh, co-operative chairman.
Chaudhary Jayant Singh: He is an Indian politician and a member of the Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh since 2022. Previously, he also served as a member of 15th Lok Sabha from Mathura. He is the National Chairman of the Rashtriya Lok Dal. On March 01, 2024, Chaudhary’s Rashtriya Lok Dal formally joined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). He started his political career in 2009, when he won as a Member of Parliament (MP) from Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India. He was one of the prime movers on Land Acquisition issue and had introduced a Private Member Bill on Land Acquisition in the Lok Sabha. Jayant Singh Chaudhary was a member of the Standing Committee on Commerce, the Consultative Committee on Finance, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and the Committee on Government Assurances. He has served previously on the Standing Committees on Agriculture and Finance as well as the Committee on Ethics. In July 2022, he was elected a member of the Rajya Sabha as a candidate of the Rashtriya Lok Dal.
Hema Malini: She is an Indian actress, director, producer, and politician, who is currently serving as a member of the Lok Sabha from the Bharatiya Janata Party, representing Mathura constituency since 2014. She was a member of the Rajya Sabha from Karnataka from 2011 to 2012, subsequent to her nomination to that chamber from 2003 to 2009 as a member of the BJP.
In 1999, Malini campaigned for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate, Vinod Khanna, a former Bollywood actor, in the Lok Sabha Elections in Gurdaspur, Punjab. In February 2004, Malini officially joined the BJP. From 2003 to 2009, she served as an MP to the upper house – the Rajya Sabha, having been nominated by the then President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. In March 2010, Malini was made general secretary of the BJP, and in February 2011, she was recommended by Ananth Kumar, the party general secretary. In the 2014 general elections for the Lok Sabha, Malini defeated the Mathura incumbent, Jayant Chaudhary (RLD) by 3,30,743 votes. In 2019, she again won the same seat. Primarily known for her work in Hindi films, she has starred in both comic and dramatic roles, and is one of the most popular and successful leading actresses of mainstream Hindi cinema.
Malini was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2000, the fourth-highest civilian honour awarded by the Government of India. In 2012, the Sir Padampat Singhania University conferred an honorary doctorate on Malini in recognition of her contribution to Indian cinema. Malini served as chairperson of the National Film Development Corporation.
In 2006, Malini received the Sopori Academy of Music And Performing Arts (SaMaPa) Vitasta award from Bhajan Sopori in Delhi for her contribution and service to Indian culture and dance. In 2013, she received the NTR National Award from the Government of Andhra Pradesh for her contribution to Indian cinema.
Malini has been involved with charitable and social ventures. Currently, Malini is also a life member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).