BJP clarifies on use of religious slogans

A day after the Dimapur Area Ao Baptist Pastors Fellowship (DAABPF) had objected to BJP using religious/sacred phrase and shouting slogans like “Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!” during their election campaign, the State BJP clarified that it was not done with any malicious intent or to gain political mileage.
Addressing the media in the presence of BJP national spokesperson and i/c Nagaland, Nalin Kohli, state BJP media cell convener Sapralu Nyekha said that the issue created a hue and cry after a video went viral on social media where union minister of state for Minority Affairs John Barla was seen shouting “Praise the Lord! Hallelujah!” during an election campaign for BJP candidate and state party president Temjen Imna Along at Aosenden village under Alongtaki constituency on February 16.
She said that Barla, who is a devout Christian, was a pastor before joining politics and becoming a union minister. Though it was his prerogative, Sapralu said Barla “loves to carry forward his faith in our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. And when he feels in his heart to call on the name of God and worship Him wherever he is, in whatever political event or any other events that he attends, it is his liberty to do so as a good Christian.”
She reiterated that the minister, calling on the name of God, was not to gain any political milage or a political gimmick, but was from his heart.
Sapralu further said that the BJP party workers in Nagaland were no less Christians like any other members of other political parties in the State. She also mentioned that the party makes it a point to invite pastors/deacons to invoke/pray for God’s blessing before starting any programme, big or small.
Sapralu, therefore, appealed to the DAABPF to not misunderstand their intention situation as it was not done with any malicious intention.
Supplementing Sapralu, Nalin Kohli, who was also present at the campaign on February 16, clarified that no votes were being asked in the name of God.
Kohli acknowledged that whenever any political programmes or events were held in Nagaland, the programmes begin by invoking the blessings of God. He, therefore, reiterated that the party was not seeking votes by doing so. “But can anyone say that we should not remember God and asked if anyone can say that they cannot remember God?
He pointed that some misguided political people were spreading such wrong information without showing the whole picture to create confusion among the people.
Kohli also spoke about road connectivity, wherein he said it was party’s priority to boost connectivity.
Meanwhile, he informed that the NDPP-BJP would be hold joint campaigns where a galaxy of leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, union home minister Amit Shah, Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio and other Central minister would be addressing the public rallies across the State. He hoped that the people of Nagaland have made up their mind to bless the alliance NDPP-BJP, for a landslide win and historic mandate.