2009-05-23 13:30:19

Church leaders ask new Indian government to uphold people's trust


(May 23, 2009) Church people have applauded Manmohan Singh's return as India's prime minister for a second term and urged him to continue his government's secular and pro-poor policies. Dr. ManmohanSingh took the oath of office on Friday 22nd of May, two days after President Pratibha Devi Singh Patil invited him to form the government. Singh's Congress Party emerged the single largest party in parliament in the recent general election. Congress heads the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), which won 262 of the 545 seats in the Lok Sabha (people's council), the lower house of parliament. Another 60 non-alliance members have promised to support Singh's government. The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) also welcomed Singh as prime minister, calling the election victory an "endorsement" of his policies for socioeconomic development, especially in the rural sector. "Now the government should continue the work," CBCI spokesperson Father Babu Joseph said. He felt that this government can "save the country from communal upheaval." The National Council of Churches in India says it expects the government to keep the country secure from terrorism, maintain peace and protect vulnerable groups such as religious minorities, "dalit" and tribal people. Sajan George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians, sees the new government as bringing hope for peace and harmony.







All the contents on this site are copyrighted ©.