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Lok Sabha Elections 2019: A tinge of politics in colours of Barsana Holi
As of now, the people of Braj are preoccupied with Holi celebrations which have eclipsed electioneering and politicians too are waiting for the festival to get over. Last year, chief minister Yogi Adityanath had stayed overnight in Mathura during the famous ‘lath-maar’ Holi of Barsana.
Unlike other parts of the country, the festival of Holi in Braj is an extended one but with Lok Sabha elections round the corner, the region is also drenched in the hues of politics.
The Braj region is going to the polls in the initial phases with Mathura and Agra, the epicentre of Braj, voting on April 18.
As of now, the people of Braj are preoccupied with Holi celebrations which have eclipsed electioneering and politicians too are waiting for the festival to get over.
Last year, chief minister Yogi Adityanath had stayed overnight in Mathura during the famous ‘lath-maar’ Holi of Barsana.
However, this year the celebration this year had no politician as the parties are yet to name their candidates.
Still, the politicians are trying to make the best use of the occasion as preparations are underway to establish a contact with the voters in the name of Holi festivities.
Celebrations are being planned at the offices of political parties for which sweets and colours are being ordered.
However, due to strict guidelines from the Election Commission, probable candidates are not coming out in the open and organisational leaders are managing the celebrations.
“No specific orders have been placed by political parties but there is an upsurge in the sale of gift items instead of traditional sweets. These include ‘gift baskets’ specially made for Holi festival and comprises of products like thandai, dry fruits, juices, gulal and aesthetic pichkaris,” says Shishir Bhagat, owner of a renowned food outlet in Agra.
“These gift baskets begin from the range of Rs 200 but the sale is more for mega baskets which cost from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000,” he adds.
Another popular destination for politicians are traditional grounds where Holi Milan programmes are organised. It may be Bhagat Singh Park in Dampere Nagar of Mathura and Paliwal Park in Agra where the local bodies organise Holi Milan event after the festival.
Mohan Swaroop Bhatia, a Padma Shri awardee for his contribution to Braj literature, says: “Holi Milan programmes will have a smarter turnout this year as politicians will not miss out on any opportunity to have contact with voters. Politicians turn up at these gathering and exchange greetings at stalls. Politics is all about reaching out to the masses and such occasions serve as a purpose to a large extent.”
Party leaders are not in a mood to disclose much and are busy finalising candidates as the nomination process is underway.
Vijay Shivhare, city unit president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), says: “I will reach my party office to meet workers on Holi and share the festivities with people at my residence too. No extra arrangements are being made as elections are round the corner.”
According to vice-president of UP Congress Upendra Singh, the party has no specific plans for Holi this time.
