Ahead of elections, BJP steps up engagement with Christian community

With back-to-back elections on the horizon, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a major outreach initiative to strengthen its presence among the Christian community, particularly in central Travancore.

As part of this effort, the party convened a meeting of its social outreach cell in Kottayam on Wednesday to discuss and finalise the organisational plan for this communication exercise. Five Christian leaders from each of the BJP’s organisational districts in Kerala attended the meeting.

Confirming the development, Shone George, BJP State vice-president, said the cell would focus on communicating the party’s stance on issues affecting Christians in Kerala, including the EWS issue, alleged attacks on Christian missionaries, and the Munambam land dispute.

With back-to-back elections on the horizon, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a major outreach initiative to strengthen its presence among the Christian community, particularly in central Travancore.

As part of this effort, the party convened a meeting of its social outreach cell in Kottayam on Wednesday to discuss and finalise the organisational plan for this communication exercise. Five Christian leaders from each of the BJP’s organisational districts in Kerala attended the meeting.

Confirming the development, Shone George, BJP State vice-president, said the cell would focus on communicating the party’s stance on issues affecting Christians in Kerala, including the EWS issue, alleged attacks on Christian missionaries, and the Munambam land dispute.

“Outreach with all communities, including Christians, will be expanded to the grassroots level ahead of the upcoming elections. Committees will be formed at both the Assembly and panchayat levels to enable this,” he said.

Mr. George said the party had already been in regular communication with leaders of various Church denominations in the State.

Official sources said the move came from the realisation that the BJP would struggle to make inroads in Kerala, especially in central Travancore, without courting Christian votes.