T’puram: BJP core committee meeting expressed hope that NDA will win four seats in the assembly election held on Apr 9. It also assessed that the number could rise to double digits due to tight triangular fights in 35 constituencies. Party leaders expressed confidence of wins at Nemom and Kazhakkoottam. BJP’s booth-level assessment is expected by April-end and primary data compilation at the ground level is expected to be completed by Apr 23.The core committee discussed the reason and outcome of the public criticism by BJP leader and former MLA P C George and his son Shone George against some clergymen of the Catholic Church and its mouthpiece Deepika. The committee said there was nothing wrong in George and his son reacting to political interference against BJP. They said their outburst was not against the Church or the community and they were only responding to political interventions by some clergymen with a hidden motive to defeat BJP candidates.The committee came to a conclusion that the criticism against those who work against BJP should be seen as a political reaction. However, such reactions should be worded carefully.Senior functionaries fully supported the criticism made by George’s son against Deepika newspaper. Earlier, party state vice-president K S Radhakrishnan said churches and clergy have the right to engage in politics but they should not claim protection from criticism just because they wear ‘sacred clothing’.
