PRIME Minister Narendra Modi met heads of eight Christian denominations in Kochi, Kerala on the evening of April 24.
The Church leaders shared their concerns related to the community and the state’s development with the PM during the meeting held at Hotel Taj Malabar in Kochi, the New Indian Express reported.
The Church delegation included Syro-Malabar Church Major Archbishop Cardinal Mar George Alencherry, Malankara Orthodox Church supreme head Catholicos Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, Jacobite Church head Metropolitan Joseph Mor Gregorios, Knanaya Catholic Archeparchy of Kottayam Bishop Mathew Moolakkat, Chaladean Syrian Church of the East Metropolitan of India and South Gulf Countries Mar Awgin Kuriakose, Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, Archbishop of Verapoly Latin Catholic Church Joseph Joy Kalathiparambil and Knanaya Syrian Church Chief Metropolitan Kuriakose Mor Severios.
BJP state president K Surendran, who was present at the meeting, said the discussion was very cordial and the bishops shared their views on the state’s development. Though the bishops were expected to raise various issues, including attacks on Christian institutions and missionaries in the North, sources said no such discussions took place.
The Hindustan Times reported that Modi had announced that the party-led alliance would form a government in Kerala too in the coming years.
“As gradually the lies of our rivals are exposed, the BJP will expand… I am sure in the coming years, as it has happened in Meghalaya and Nagaland and has been happening in Goa, the BJP’s alliance will form government in Kerala too,” he had said, blasting the Left and the Congress for their “politics of deceit” with their “friendship” in Tripura and rivalry in Kerala.
