CHRISTIANS TO USE POLLS TO PUSH DEMANDS

The Christian community in the state, which has 44 lakh voters, has taken the forthcoming elections as an opportunity to put its on the table. The community says unless its demands are accepted by the contesting candidates, no vote would be cast. They aim to field three candidates independently, including from Secunderabad owing to the large number of Christian voters.

The different denominations of the community have come under one umbrella, Federation of Telugu Churches, and framed nine demands to be handed over to all political parties.

FTC executive secretary Fr Dr Anthoniraj Thumma said, “The next government should strengthen the Telangana State Christian (Minority) Finance Corporation and allocate at least 25 per cent of the funds and schemes under the minority welfare budget to Christians. The scheme of providing subsidy to Christian pilgrimage to Jerusalem and the holy land has to be re-launched.” He asked for the presence of Christian representatives in the Assembly.

Former IAS officer B. Danam, another executive secretary, said, “A few Assembly and Lok Sabha seats must be assigned to members of the community. One cooption membership in every municipality / corporation must be given to the community members.”

The community is eyeing the Secunderabad, Karimnagar and Warangal constituencies.