In a significant turn of events ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in Kerala’s second phase on April 26, the Believers Church in the Pathanamthitta constituency has made headlines by extending its support to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate, Anil Antony. This unprecedented move marks the first instance of a church body publicly endorsing a BJP candidate in Kerala’s political history.
The decision to back Anil Antony was announced following a crucial meeting organized by the Believers Eastern Church in Thiruvalla on Monday. The gathering, attended by over 100 priests, witnessed the presence of key figures including the Metropolitan of Kerala, Mar Silvanious, and the Church’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Rev. Father Sijo Panthapallil. During the meeting, the church officially declared its support for Anil Antony’s candidature as the Lok Sabha representative from the Pathanamthitta constituency.
Kerala: #Church comes out openly in support of BJP in Kerala
Over 100 priests of Believers Church extends support to BJP candidate @anilkantony for #Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha seat
This is the 1st election where an organised church has publicly supported a BJP candidate, showing… pic.twitter.com/z4PKEKoe8U
— Nishant Azad/निशांत आज़ाद🇮🇳 (@azad_nishant) April 22, 2024
Antony’s active participation in the meeting showcased his commitment to engaging with various segments of the electorate and addressing their concerns. The endorsement from the Believers Church holds significant implications, particularly in the context of Kerala’s political landscape, which has traditionally been dominated by secular and left-leaning parties.
Pathanamthitta, situated in southern Kerala, is renowned for its diverse religious demographics, with a substantial Christian population. The backing of a prominent church body like the Believers Church could potentially sway the electoral dynamics in favour of Anil Antony, offering a substantial boost to his electoral prospects.
The Believers Church has also assured its support to Rajiv Chandrasekhar in Thiruvananthapuram. The Believers Church is said to wield influence in the constituency, with about 10,000 families attached to the church. The Church also runs microfinance institutions that support several families.
Pathanamthitta has one of the most high-profile fights in this election. Anil Antony is up against sitting MP Anto Antony of the Congress and veteran CPM leader and former state finance minister Thomas Issac.
Anil Antony is the son of veteran Congress leader and former Kerala Chief Minister AK Antony. AK Antony however has not endorsed his son’s candidature and publicly spoke in favour of Congress’ Anto Antony.
Anil Antony joined the BJP in April last year after quitting the Congress party. Anil had served as digital media convenor of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) and national coordinator of the All India Congress Committee (AICC).
All 20 constituencies in Kerala go to the polls on April 26 in the second phase of the Lok Sabha election.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, while the Congress party had won 15 seats, its allies, the Indian Union Muslim League, won two seats, the Revolutionary Socialist Party won one, and the Kerala Congress (M) won one seat. The Communist Party of India (Marxist) won one seat in Alappuzha.
