Kerala Latin Catholics to keep away from all political fronts

The rally largely aimed to protest the growing neglect towards the community by the state and Central governments.

(Photo: The Hindu)

Thiruvananthpuram:  The Latin Catholic community in Kerala that has decisive voting power in some pocekts of the state will keep equal distance from all political fronts in the upcoming general elections, a Church leader has said.

Archbishop Soosa Pakiam said this on Friday while inaugurating the massive rally and grand meet organized by the Kerala Region Latin Catholic Council (KRLCC).

At the rally people shouted slogans against the growing neglect of the community by the state and Central governments. The rally refused to support the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Communists' Left Democratic Front (LDF).

The archbishop based in state capital Trivandrum said the community's support to political parties would purely be on the basis of handling of issues and merit.

"Political parties are trying to divide and rule the community. So we would keep them at a distance. Both the UDF and LDF fronts in the state consider communities as vote banks," he said.

He said the community was ready to accept any candidate, irrespective of their caste, creed and religion, provided they protected their interest.

He reminded the Catholics that most politicians who win with community mandate turn against the community later.

"Politicians think that nothing will happen if they turn their back to the Latin community. That's why they refuse to allow preferences, which are due to the Latin community though they are most eligible for the same. All I have to say is that they shouldn't forget the path treaded to reach the position they now enjoy," he said.

He also spoke at length about the problems faced by the community due to CRZ norms, absence of a separate fisheries ministry at the centre and inadequate assistance from the government.

KPCC president V M Sudheeran who shared dais with the archbishop said the government has agreed to convene a meeting of ministers, officials and MLAs concerned to address issues faced by the coastal communities.

He said the problems faced by the fishermen community were as important as that of massive evictions in the name of big ticket projects.

S Sharma MLA, KRLCC president Shaji George, Vicar General Fr Eugene Pereira also spoke on the occasion.

Source: Times of India