Worried over Kerala, CPI–M reaches out to Church

Loss of Christian votes in the state of Kerala, due to the spat between the Catholic Church has caused heavy damages to the Communist Party of India–Marxist's (CPI–M), who urged its state unit not to confront the Church.

The party which already is in a crisis in West Bengal, hopes to maintain its image in the southern state which has been witnessing a string of Sunday pastoral letters targeting the communists.

Party sources said CPI–M general secretary, Mr Prakash Karat and politburo member, Mr S Ramachandra Pillai, both hail from Kerala, have initiated some discussions with Church leaders in the state. “However, our Kerala leaders’ comments were worsening the already–soured relations. Our politburo has warned the Kerala leaders not to do or say anything that causes more problems,” quoted IANS.

The source added that the party leadership would step up discussions with Church leaders after the CPI–M Congress in Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu ends on March 2. The CPI–M central leadership is also attempting a patch up with the community by intervening in Orissa, where Christians are facing communal attacks.

Kerala's minorities, especially the Catholics, are upset with the CPI–M–led government over its educational policies, which Christian leaders feel amount to interference in their affairs.

Christians constitute 19 percent of Kerala's 30 million people.