We would be happy to see Modi as the next prime minister of India: Malankara Orthodox Church, Kerala.

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Chandy govt's new headache: Modi's meeting with Kerala bishops

Narendra Modi with Malankara Orthodox Church Bishops

J Binduraj | Indian Today | Kochi | February 10, 2014:: The meeting of two bishops of Malankara Orthodox Church with BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi in Kochi on Sunday has become a new headache for the UDF government in Kerala.

The gesture of the church heads is a clear sign that a faction of Christians is disappointed with the Congress rule in the state.

Interestingly, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy belongs to the Malankara Orthodox Church, which has a strong presence in eight parliamentary constituencies in the state.

He is the only member in the Kerala assembly belonging to the Orthodox Church faction.

Though the Orthodox Church has officially disassociated itself from the meeting of Chengannur Diocese Metropolitan Thomas Mar Athanasius and Ahmedabad Diocese Geevereghese Mar Julius with the Gujarat Chief Minister, the meeting is seen as a reflection of the growing discontent within the church faction about the Congress rule and the uncaring attitude of the government towards the problems faced by the church.

"The two bishops knew Narendra Modi well and it was just a friendly visit," said a church official.

But Bishop Mar Athanasius told mediapersons after meeting Modi that they would be happy to see Modi as the next prime minister.

"I have been in Gujarat for long and seen the developments Gujarat achieved under Modi. I don't find anything wrong in him becoming the prime minister," said Mar Athanasius.

Ahmedabad Diocese head Geevereghese Mar Julius also praised Modi.

"Modi was not indicted by any court of law for Gujarat riots. Human rights violations are happening in Kerala too. Those who rule Kerala didn't bring development as in Gujarat," he said.

Malankara Orthodox Church has got more than 14 lakh members in Kerala and has a strong presence in Lok Sabha constituencies such as Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Kollam, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Mavelikkara.

The church faction is unhappy that though it has a good number of people, only the Chief Minister represents the faction in Kerala assembly.

The church is also critical about Chandy's stand in disputes between the Orthodox Church and the Jacobite Church.

Chandy can't say anything in favour of Orthodox Church as the other Christian members of the cabinet are from other church factions.

"Unfortunately, we don't even have a district Congress committee president in Kerala," said an Orthodox Church official on conditions of anonymity.

Though Modi's team had invited other bishops from other Christian factions too, only two bishops met him at Ernakulam Guest house on Sunday afternoon. The meeting lasted for around 20 minutes.

Courtesy: India Today.

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No other option than Modi: Amit Shah

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Narendra Modi at helm has created anti-incumbency for parties: Amit Shah 

By Palak Shah, ET Bureau | 10 Feb, 2014:: BJP PM candidate's confidant Amit Shah says Narendra Modi's leadership has generated anti-incumbency for other parties across the country because of his 'proven administrative efficiency.' In an interview to Palak Shah, he says if his leader contests from UP, BJP would make huge gains. Excerpts:

What do you feel now that the CBI has given you a clean chit in the Ishrat Jahan case?

I feel that it is the end of debate (charcha). Nothing else. These things don't affect me. I'm always at peace.

How well will BJP do in Uttar Pradesh, where you have been busy?

The environment is good. The BJP will emerge as the largest party.

How many seats?

Until the candidates are declared, we cannot say anything. If somebody gives any estimate before candidates' list, their prediction would be wrong. But the mood is in favour of BJP. There is a wave in favour of Modi. UP wants change. But I do not want to get into this prediction game before candidates are declared.

Will your UP list have radical changes?

There is some difference every time. I cannot give you details just to make headlines for your newspaper.

When will your list be out?

We have not decided yet. The BJP parliamentary board will decide. It is difficult to give a date.

Will Narendra Modi contest from UP?

That is yet to be decided. Modiji will definitely fight the Lok Sabha elections. But the place is yet to be decided.

Would he contest from Gujarat and UP?

How can we say before it is decided by the party?

By when will it be decided?

Even that is not decided.

Won't it be of help if Modi decides to contest from Uttar Pradesh?

Yes, I can say for sure that if he contests from UP, BJP will make good gains in the state. But I would still like to add that it is yet to be decided as to where Modiji would contest from.

What is your Uttar Pradesh strategy?

The anti-incumbency against SP and Congress is so strong that there is no need to make a strategy exposing them. People have not forgotten the corruption of BSP and deterioration of law and order after SP came to power. It has turned the entire state against the SP government. In my entire career, I have not seen any political party in our country lose its popularity as fast as SP did after coming to power. SP has raced towards unpopularity and people have pinned hopes on BJP now. 
The difference in Narendra Modi's leadership will be seen in all areas. It has generated anti incumbency for other political parties in the country. We can show that the leadership of Modiji is not based on loose talk but proven administrative efficiency. He has given a concrete leadership to Gujarat in 12 years.

This time, the caste arithmetic favours BJP. The entire Backward Castes are attracted towards us. All parties except BJP in UP have demanded minority reservation based on religion, which has angered OBCs. So they have pinned their hope on BJP.

Where does BJP stand on minority reservation?

BJP has vocally opposed it. It is unconstitutional. There is no provision for minority reservation based on religion in the Constitution. Also, given the 50% cap on all reservations and given that Scheduled Castes and Tribes have constitutionally guaranteed reservations within this, another form of reservation linked to religion will have to happen at the cost of OBCs. We will not support policies that lessen or take away the rights of OBCs.

But then isn't economic backwardness among Muslims a reality?

If Muslims get reservation on the basis of their caste we have no objection, but we will object and oppose if they get reservation on the basis of their religion. There are some castes among Muslims that fall in the OBC category. We have no objection to reservations for them.  Those who are Backward among Muslims and other religions can already avail of reservation benefits. We do not oppose any reservation to them.

But why promote this idea of reservation based on religion? BJP is against the idea of reservation based on religion. We do not want to divide the country based on religion. But whoever falls under the definition of OBC and other such categories has a right to reservation constitutionally irrespective of religion. 

Courtesy: Economic Times.

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