BJP reaches out to Christians in Northeast, says party not opposed to any religion

GUWAHATI: BJP reaches out to Christian community in Northeast India stating that the party is not opposed to any religion. The saffron party is pointing to the rapid growth of its membership in Christian dominated states to show its growing popularity in Northeast India.

At least three states of Northeast India including Meghalaya, Nagaland and Mizoram are Christian dominated while there is sizable Christian population in Arunachal Pradesh. Recent attacks in Churches besides hoisting international Yoga day on Sunday and talks of banning beef was used as fodder by Opposition parties to campaign that BJP is antiChristian. Many churches in Northeast India opposed the Government programme of International Yoga day on Sunday and asked its members to refrain from it. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Nalin Kohli who was in Guwahati on Tuesday said: "There is huge surge in BJP's membership in Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh. Across the Northeast, we have grown by at least three times." Kohli said that BJP is not anti-anybody. "The deputy chief minister of Goa is a Christian. In Assam our membership has grown from 2.5 lakh to 26 lakh, in Meghalaya we have increased the members from 23,000 to 65,000. In Arunachal Pradesh BJP's membership has surged from 30,000 to one lakh."

In Mizoram and Nagaland from the earlier membership strength of 11,000 the party has increased its strength to 78,000 and one lakh respectively. Kohli argued in recently held Autonomous district council polls in Tripura BJP emerged as number two party. BJP president Amit Shah reviewed the progress of membership drive and the progress of the Maha Sampark Abhiyan (mass contact programme) with the state in charge of Northeastern units of party.

M. Chuba Ao Nagaland unit president of BJP told ET: "Our opponents always try to brand BJP as Hindu political party. They want to say that BJP is opposed to Church and Christians. However, persistent effort is now paying off we are able to make people understand the BJP is not opposed to any religion rather it respects all religion and diverse culture of different lands."