Q: Kummanam Rajasekharan, who earlier served as the chief of BJP’s Kerala unit, is now the governor of Mizoram. Reports have appeared about some pro- test in Mizoram against him. What have you to say about it?

A: I don’t think that there is any protest as such. It was a kind of political move. The anti-corruption organization, People’s Re- presentation for Identity and Status of Mizoram (PRISM), is spearheading the campaign. It appealed to all Church organisations, political parties, NGOs and the people at large to join the campaign to oust the Governor. But I, like all other Church leaders who were invited, went for his installation ceremony. I am not for looking at him with prejudice. But the people see his appointment now as a tactic played by the BJP with an eye on the Assembly election that will be held later this year in Mizoram. Mizoram is a Christian majority state and Kummanam is an RSS activist who is actively involved in various Hindu organisations. The BJP is sure to use him in their favour. But Kummanam clearly said that he came here not for any political reason and that he will stand for the people of Mizoram and serve them. The BJP have succeeded in a few places for the simple reason that money can buy the poor. There are some who blindly fall for false promises. For the poor village people, money is all that counts. As long as money flows for it freely, the BJP will keep winning.

Bp Stephen Rotluanga
Mizoram