BJP’s deputy Chief Minister in Goa Francisco D’Souza, who earlier asserted the minorities in the State had valid apprehensions about the BJP on Friday, blamed the Goa Church for creating such an apprehension.
Addressing a Press conference, Francisco said that the ‘minorities’ formed such an opinion only after the Council for Social Justice and Peace (CSJP), the social outreach arm of the Church issued such a statement.
“The apprehension was influenced by the CSJP. That was what created the apprehension for me,” D’Souza told reporters defending his earlier stand.
The BJP, which swept to power in the State with an absolute majority after incessant corruption during the previous Congress rule drove the minority community to vote for Independents and local parties that are today supporting the BJP, is struggling to contain damage arising out of this change in stance from the Church.
The Church had said that the election campaign is geared towards the promotion of one individual as if this is a ‘presidential election’ even as it called on the faithful to “install a Government that serves specially the common people, ensuring that each and every citizen, irrespective of social status or caste or religion.”