Kochi: On December 30th, a priest and approximately fifty Christian families joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Kerala, showcasing the party's ongoing efforts to engage with the minority communities in the state. The event took place in the presence of Union Minister V Muraleedharan and Father Shaiju Kurien, Secretary of the Orthodox Church Nilakkal Bhadrasanam in Pathanamthitta district, southern Kerala.
Simultaneously, a significant number of members from the Kerala Congress (Jacob) faction also joined the BJP in the Thrissur district, central Kerala, with state president K Surendran present for the occasion. The BJP highlighted its commitment to development and the vision of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a key factor motivating minorities to support and join the party.
The BJP recently initiated the 'Sneha Yatra,' an outreach initiative aimed at strengthening ties with the Christian community in the state. Launched during the Easter season earlier this year, the party decided to continue the yatra during the Christmas period. The state committee's recent meeting confirmed the plan to carry out this outreach initiative.
In a post on social media, the BJP emphasized that programs like 'Sneha Yatra' aim to dispel misconceptions held by minority groups about the party, asserting that misinformation cannot deter minorities from joining the BJP. The party expressed confidence that more people from minority communities would join in the future to participate in development politics.
The BJP's engagement with Kerala's Christian community also includes the personal delivery of Prime Minister Modi's Christmas wishes to prominent clergymen in the state, such as Cardinal George Alencherry and Archbishop Joseph Kalathiparbil. This outreach effort is part of the BJP's strategy to build stronger connections with minority communities and debunk any misunderstandings.
Notably, this development follows the earlier inclusion of a serving Catholic priest, Father Kuriakose Mattam, into the BJP in October this year. Father Mattam, 73 years old, officially became a primary member of the political party, marking a unique instance in the state. Despite concerns about members of the clergy being associated with a political party, the priest decided to join after keenly observing current events, according to reports.
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