Road to 2024: BJP sniffs Kerala opportunity; laps Bishop rant against Left

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V Muraleedharan
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By Our Special Correspondent

New Delhi, March 20: After the failed bid during 2017-17 to gain ground in Kerala, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has lapped the anguish of an archbishop to build bridges with the Christian community in the state. The BJP had tried even in the run up to the 2019 Lok Sabha elections to import a few influential Christian leaders from Kerala to make a case for the saffron outfit in the coastal state.

The BJP on Monday welcomed the statements made by Mar Joseph Pamplany, archbishop of the Roman Catholic Church, Thalassery in Kerala in which he spoke of reaching out to the Central government to protect the interests of farmers. Minister of State for External and Parliamentary Affairs V Muraleedharan along with former Union Minister KJ Alphonse and spokesperson Tom Vadakkan responded to the criticism of the CPI (M) and Congress in Kerala after the Bishop expressed the Church’s willingness to hold discussions with the Centre to protect the interests of farmers.

“Freedom of Expression is denied to bishops, either because they are Christians or their views favour the government of India. The Bishop of Pala was ridiculed for pointing out the dangers of ‘narcotic Jihad’, and its impact on the Christian community,” said Muraleedharan, while holding a presser at the BJP headquarters on Monday.

The BJP despite the strength of the Rashtriya Swayam Sewak Sangh (RSS) workers on the ground had found the Kerala politics a daunting task. With Hindus, Muslims and Christians forming sizable constituencies in Kerala, the BJP had been dismayed to find that even its supporters were voting for Congress in their bids to keep the Left out of power in the state. The Christian community in Kerala is largely seen with Congress even while a section of them votes for the Left parties. The BJP had sought to stitch a broader alliance with the backward communities to enter the Kerala politics, but found grounds not yet ready.

“The CPI (M) and Congress say that they are for minorities and freedom of speech, but when a Christian bishop speaks his mind or indirectly favours the government of India, they pounce upon him; this is a ridiculous situation in Kerala,” added Muraleedharan. He also questioned Congress’ “doublespeak” on the alleged incidents of attacks on churches in Kerala.

Speaking about the acceptance of the Christian community of BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Muraleedharan said: “Meghalaya with over 75 per cent Christians, Nagaland with over 80 per cent Christians and Goa with around 25 per cent Christians have reposed their trust in BJP.” He said that Modi’s “acceptance was beyond community religion and that the anti-minority image manufactured by Congress was not acceptable to Christians and other minorities”.

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