Kerala - Pathanamthitta   

Easter greetings: Congress files complaint against BJP

By Our Staff Reporter

PATHANAMTHITTA, APRIL 15. The Congress has alleged that the BJP candidate from Mavelikara, S. Krishnakumar, violated the relevant provisions in the Representation of the People Act, 1951, by distributing thousands of Easter greeting cards, which carried a picture of Jesus Christ along with photographs of Mr. Krishnakumar and the Prime Minister, in the constituency on Easter Sunday.

The All-India Congress Committee (AICC) member and Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) election campaign committee member, Peelipose Thomas, filed a complaint in this connection before the District Collector, Rabeendra Kumar Agarwal, who is also the Returning Officer for the Mavelikara Lok Sabha constituency. Mr. Peelipose alleged that the greeting cards , carrying photographs of the Prime Minister, A.B.Vajpayee, and Mr. Krishnakumar, along with a picture of Jesus Christ, were distributed in various churches in the constituency on Easter Sunday. This was a "violation of the Model Code of Conduct prescribed by the Election Commission," Mr. Peelipose alleged.

The greeting card carrying the signature of the BJP candidate was published by the `BJP Mavelikara Parliament Election Committee convener'.

Mr. Peelipose demanded that action be taken against Mr. Krishnakumar as well as the printer and publisher of the greeting card for violating the Election Commission's directive.

The Congress candidate from Mavelikara, Ramesh Chennithala, also strongly criticised the distribution of Easter greeting cards in churches by BJP workers.

Meanwhile, Mr. Krishnakumar, termed the Congress charge "ridiculous and totally unfounded''. Reacting to the Congress allegation, Mr. Krishnakumar said, "It is natural to witness such reactions from the Congress camp on seeing the Christian community coming closer to the BJP. The election process is yet to begin and I have not yet submitted my nomination. By extending Easter greeting, I was only expressing the BJP's solidarity with the Christian community and the response was wonderful.'' He alleged that the Congress charge was the best example of its "intolerance'' towards the BJP nominee getting acceptance among Christians in Mavelikara.

"What is wrong in BJP workers extending Easter greetings to their Christian brethren? How can the Congress leaders say that the BJP cannot use a picture of Jesus Christ and extend Easter greetings to the Christians in the country?'' he asked.

"People know me as a bureaucrat and Minister with a secular outlook," he said and added that he would ignore the Congress charge.

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