P C George targets bishops, accuses them of backing UDF

POONJAR: BJP leader and NDA candidate from Poonjar, P C George, responded in harsh language against the Catholic Church. He said that he is not against the Church, but against certain bishops. Bishops are not the Church. He alleged that some bishops are working for the Congress, and some are Congress supporters by birth. Bishops are not supposed to act politically; those who do so will be treated as politicians, and he will not respect them but oppose them, he said.

‘Shone George must speak the truth, and only the truth. People think the Kanjirappally bishop is respectable, he called people in convents and asked them to vote for the UDF. Is the Church part of the UDF? Among the three candidates contesting in Poonjar, what benefit have the others brought? It is I who brought benefits.

The FCRA amendment bill will be passed. Why are they so worried about that? If money is received from abroad, what is wrong with giving an account of it? Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju have said that there will be no issues. The FCRA law will not create any issue for the Christian community, then why are the bishops barking and that for the UDF,’ he alleged.

George also mocked the Catholic Church’s official newspaper, questioning whether it is even a proper newspaper. ‘That paper, anyone who reads it must be mad. I am contesting here in Poonjar, but neither my photo nor news about me had appeared in it, while there is coverage about the other two candidates,’ he said.

He reiterated that the Church belongs to everyone, and his opposition is only toward certain bishops. He expressed confidence in winning the election and denied allegations of distributing money for votes, stating that no money was given in Erattupetta and he had not authorized anyone to do so.

He added that the BJP aims to treat all religious communities with respect. The Church does not necessarily have to align with the BJP, but the BJP should connect with the people and the Christian community. George also expressed confidence that he would win in Poonjar by 20,000 votes.

Shone had also criticised sections of the Catholic Church, alleging that despite the BJP supporting it on various issues, the party had not supported them.