THRISSUR: Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council president Archbishop Andrews Thazhath has written a letter to UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi flaying the Congress and the UDF leaders for their failure in protecting the larger interests of catholic community in the state in general and the recent controversies linked with the Education Department in particular.
In the letter, Thazhath, in an apparent reference to the Muslim community, said the higher education sector in the state was hijacked by a particular community and the party which represents the community has been handling the issues and policies related to the sector at their discretion, without taking note of the general feeling and larger interest of the public. Terming the controversies related to the Education Department as the fallout of the mismanagement of the party, the Bishop states that the Congress and UDF leaders in the state were least bothered about the developments and the demands of the Catholic community were often being cold-shouldered by them. The Congress leaders have a general feeling that the catholic community would ultimately support the UDF candidates in the elections. But, things have changed a lot and it was reflected in the Lok Sabha polls in Thrissur, Chalakkudy and Idukki constituencies .
The letter also warns the party of dire consequences if the leaders fail to read the mind of the people. It also states that the oppressed and minorities have high expectations in the party. The copies of the letter were sent to AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi and AICC general secretary in-charge of the party affairs in state Mukul Wasnik.