Provide representation for Christians in Cabinet demands Christian MP

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from Bangalore North, Dr. H. T. Sangliana, last week, urged the newly elected Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa to provide representation for Christians in the Cabinet.

Sangliana, who had an impressive record, while being the Commissioner of Police in Bangalore, told the press that the Christian community in Karnataka had contributed to the BJP's victory in the Assembly elections.

BJP for the first time came to power in South, which has been a huge boost to the party.

Sangliana, who is a very devoted Christian, asserted that Chief Minister ensure more number of Christians and Muslims backed the BJP and for this reason should nominate a Christian to Legislative Council. Thereafter a ministerial birth must be provided, he demanded.

Christians should be given proper representation even in the nominations to the boards and corporations, he continued

Mr. Yedyurappa during campaigning for the elections announced that a Muslim would be made Minister and this assurance fetched votes of the minorities to the BJP, Mr. Sangliana said.

"Had the BJP fielded two Muslims and a Christian as suggested by me, the party would have gained absolute majority and the need for seeking the support of independent MLAs would not have arisen," he claimed.

Last week, Mr. Yedyurappa, in a personal meeting with the Archbishop in Bangalore, assured full support and protection to the minorities from the BJP government, which came into power last month.

The success of BJP in the south has sent shivers among the minority groups, who fear that the group, which instigated vehement attacks against the Christians and Muslims in North, would continue the same in the peaceful cities.