KOCHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a meeting with eight Christian leaders in Kochi on Monday to pave the way for the BJP's political goal of keeping the minorities together. Political and social observers see the meeting as extremely important in the context of the fact that the Cardinal has openly declared his pro-BJP stance.

Leaders of various churches including Major Archbishop Cardinal George Alencherry, head of the Syro-Malabar church, will meet Narendra Modi. The central and state leadership of the BJP paved the way for the meeting with the aim of securing the support of the Christian religious leaders in the context of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The BJP state leadership hopes to win a few seats in the Lok Sabha and assembly elections if they get the support of one more section of Christians.

The statements of Thalassery Archbishop Joseph Pamplany and Cardinal George Alencherry that Christians are not insecure under BJP rule and the favourable position of the National Progressive Party formed with the blessing of some bishops are giving hope to the BJP.

Leaders who will meet Modi

1. Major Archbishop Cardinal George Alencherry (Syro Malabar Church)

2. Baselios Marthoma Mathews III Catholica (Orthodox Church)

3. Joseph Gregorios Metropolitan (Jacobite Syrian Church)

4. Bishop Mathew Mulakat (Knanaya Catholic Church, Kottayam)

5. Eugene Kuriakose (Chaldean Syrian Church)

6. Cardinal Cleemis (Syro Malankara Sabha)

7. Archbishop Joseph Kalathiparambil (Latin Church)

8. Kuriakose Xaverius (Syrian Church of Canaan)