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Since Christians have many different political affiliations across the state, Bishop Clemis admitted that there was a "minor problem" with some church members asking why the priest had "joined hands" with "one political group." But, the bishop added, "this will not pose a serious problem."

However Nooranal told ENI that communists were "no longer atheists" as in the past. "They are changing. They are trying to associate with church and temple committees and activities."

If elected, he said, he would "not be reduced to a Communist MLA. I will be an independent MLA for all the people."

However, O. M. George, an Orthodox Christian and Congress party leader in the region, told ENI that 90 percent of Christians "do not approve of the priest competing for election, [especially] with the support of Communists."

He said that Nooranal would have a "tough time" in the elections as the United Democratic Front (UDF), led by Congress, was also "sure to put up a Christian candidate" for the constituency.

George, who is the chairman of Sultan Bathery panchayat (village) council, said that Sultan Bathery had long been a Congress bastion. The Communists were supporting the priest "to wrest the seat" from Congress, he said. But he admitted that given the Orthodox priest's popularity, "we do not know what will be the outcome."

The state of Kerala was created in 1956. At the first state elections in 1957, the Communists made history when they were elected to run the state—they claimed this was the first time Communists had come to power in a free ballot. They won 60 seats, and their socialist allies 9, in the then 126-member assembly, while Congress won 43 seats.

Since then, the Communist alliance has won five elections in Kerala including the last one in 1996.

Copyright © 2001 ENI.

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India Relief Abuses Rampant | Radical Hindus hijack supplies in quake intervention. (Mar. 20, 2001)

In Orissa, You Must Ask the Government If You Want to Change Religion | Christian church leaders say they're trying to ignore the controversial law, but police aren't doing the same. (Mar. 12, 2001)

New Delhi Conference Condemns 'Immense Suffering' in Caste System | National Campaign for Dalit Human Rights plans to appeal to United Nations. (Mar. 9, 2001)

Weblog: Take Up Arms Against Missionaries, Says Hindu Leader | Clouds darkening over India (Mar. 6, 2001)

Churches Angry that Indian Census Ignores 14 Million Christian Dalits | Only Hindu, Sikh, and Buddhist members of "untouchable" caste being counted. (Mar. 2, 2001)

Churches Have Not Worked to End Dowry Practice | India's women are seen as less valuable than men in a society that supports bride burnings and "suicide." (Feb. 20, 2001)

India's Christians Face Continued Threats | We must preach what we believe in spite of Hindu pressure, says Operation Mobilization India leader. (Feb. 15, 2001)

India's Quake Survivors Need Counseling | Earthquake survivors are desperate for more than material aid, Indian bishop warns. (Feb. 9, 2001)

Quake Rocks Hindu Hotbed | Agencies appeal for funds to aid victims. (Feb. 8, 2001)

Politician Who Saw God's Hand in Gujarat Quake Forced to Resign | Civil aviation minister had told Christians that quake was God's judgment against persecution of Christians. (Feb. 5, 2001)

Militant Hindus Assault Christians | Persecution of religious minorities stirs Christian outrage against government inaction. (Jan. 31, 2001)

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April (Web-only) 2001, Vol. 45