The Andhra Pradesh Council of Churches has allegedly issued a press release urging its members to back YS Jagan as the state’s next chief minister, describing him as a devout Christian. This official statement comes just days before the state’s elections, which are slated for Monday.
Andhra Pradesh will have assembly and parliamentary elections on May 13, with 175 assembly seats and 25 parliamentary seats.
⚡ Andhra Pradesh Council of Churches has issued a FATWA to all Andhra Christians to vote for Crypto Jagan.
Two minutes of silence for people who think Christians are only 2% of Andhra still. pic.twitter.com/PIVDmZE95T
— Arun Pudur (@arunpudur) May 11, 2024
The Organiser team tried to reach out to them for clarification, yet they have chosen to refrain from either acknowledging or denying the allegations.
Since the Election Commission’s notification, Christian community leaders and political leaders have increased their open support for YS Jagan, using Church positions to influence voters in his favour, an open violation of the Church’s policy of overstepping in politics.
Since January 2024, YS Vimala Reddy, a relative of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and a Christian evangelist, has organised several Christian congregations focused on specific Assembly constituencies. These gatherings have seen the participation of pastors and community members, serving both religious purposes and endorsing YS Jagan for another term as Chief Minister, with a religious undertone. YS Vimala Reddy is highly influential who serves as Chairperson of TCEEFI and vice president of Haggal India.
Christian Community leaders not only support YS Jagan, they also indulge in fear mongering the voters against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
Pastor Marripudi John Babu of Andhra Pradesh, in his speech on April 10, 2024, said, “The BJP is likely to retain power. 90 per cent of people predict that the BJP will re-emerge; if the BJP returns to power at Central, particularly Christians in India will be in more trouble and difficulties.
Andhra Pradesh: Fearmongering statements by Christian pastor against BJP ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha elections#LokSabhaElections2024 https://t.co/oYIFno73uQ
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) April 12, 2024
In November 2023, WF Kumuyi, a Nigerian pastor on a pre-Christmas tour of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, has asked Christians to pray for a favourable Government in Andhra Pradesh.
Dwarampudi Chandrasekhara Reddy, YSRCP MLA from Kakinada City, stated, “There are nearly 140 days until the elections, after which it will be clear who will be the next Chief Minister of the State.” My wish is that a Christian, the same Jaganmohan Reddy, be re-elected as Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. The pastors are well aware of how strong we can be when a Christian becomes a Chief Minister once more.”
All of these instances clearly demonstrate the influential presence of a robust Christian network and lobby in Andhra Pradesh, openly throwing their support behind YS Jagan solely based on his religious identity rather than a comprehensive political assessment.
