The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Leaders politicise Good Friday prayers

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Saturday, Apr 10, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Leaders politicise Good Friday prayers

By Our Staff Reporter

NIZAMABAD, APRIL 9. `Good Friday', the day of mourning for the Christian community after Jesus Christ was crucified, did not deter leaders of the Congress and the Telugu Desam Party from thronging the places of worship to seek votes.

The happenings at the CSI church in Kanteswar area of Nizamabad town on Friday raised eyebrows as politicians made a beeline to the places of worship. The political party leaders tried to outdo their rivals. Even as the Good Friday prayers were on, the TDP nominee of Nizamabad Assembly constituency, Satish Pawar, along with his followers, made his way into the church.

He walked up to the alter and addressed people, who came to attend prayers. Mr. Pawar said that he had gone to the church to share his grief with the Christian community. He sought blessings from the Church pastor, Rev. T. Bhaskar. Special prayers were held for TDP leaders' success. As the church pastor ended his prayer, the Nizamabad LS Congress candidate, Madhu Yaskhi's wife entered the church. She went inside and offered special prayers.

Mr. Yaskhi, who was not present at the church, nevertheless made up for his absence by sponsoring the supply of buttermilk and purified drinking water pouches to the gathered people. The PCC president and the Congress candidate from Nizamabad Assembly segment, D. Srinivas, made his presence felt by sponsoring the live telecast of the special Good Friday prayers.

What irked the gathering was that TDP leaders carried party flags, sported yellow colour party caps and wore kanduvas. Congress leaders did not lag behind as they also followed their counterparts. It may be mentioned here that Mr. Madhu Yaskhi had visited the local churches last Sunday which was observed as Palm Sunday and sought the blessings of preachers.

Today, Mr. Yaskhi preferred to visit the mosques in the town to seek the support of the Muslim community. He met those who came out after attending the Friday prayers. The TDP LS candidate from Nizamabad, Syed Yusuf Ali, had also done a similar thing last week when he met the community people outside mosques.

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