BJP banks on Church to allay fears

Crucial meeting between party and church leaders today

From Staff Correspondent

Shillong, Aug 11: BJP general secretary in charge of Meghalaya lin Kohli and the party’s State leadership will meet the Church leaders on Saturday with an “open agenda”. However, the meeting is likely to drive home one important point – allay all fears about the BJP being anti-Christian, as often alleged by its rival political parties.

The meeting is scheduled to be held on Saturday afternoon and representatives of six Christian denomitions have accepted the party’s invitation to deliberate on varied issues.

State BJP unit president Shibun Lyngdoh told The Sentinel on Friday, “Basically the interaction will deliberate on how to address some of the important issues plaguing the State. We will seek their advice in firming up our approach ahead of the elections. However, despite the meeting being held with an open agenda, we will also tell them about our rival’s propaganda against our party.”

“Our policy of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas will be properly explained to the Church leaders. The country’s constitution is our guiding principle and so there should not be any misconception about our party,” stated Lyngdoh, adding “every grievance or suggestion will be taken with utmost seriousness in order to improve the party’s electoral performance in the 2018 Assembly elections,” he explained.  

The meeting with church leaders is being considered crucial for the BJP as they can influence a section of the masses in the Christian-domited State.

Ahead of the Saturday’s meeting, the BJP leader further said, “Our failed political opponent drags us into irrelevant issues after failing to deliver in terms of development. And yes I agree that there are a section of people who have been fooled by the propaganda being spread against our party.”  The State BJP president also made it clear that the BJP is not against any religion and is sworn to inclusive growth and progress by empowering people through developmental initiatives.  The party has already begun its social media campaign to counter its political rivals, chiefly the Congress.  Kohli had said earlier that the campaign to reach out to the people and overthrow the Congress regime would commence by September this year.