Hyderabad, Nov. 2, 2018: A body representing prominent Churches in Telagana have demanded political parties to dedicate at least three constituencies for the Christian community in the southern Indian state.
Those chosen by its members have to be fielded, office-bearers of the Federation of Telugu Churches (FTC) said at a press meet here on October 31.
In Secunderabad, Warangal and Karimnagar constituencies, members of the community should be given tickets, the community demanded. It is open to poll tickets from any political party, the members said.
At the media briefing, Father Anthonyraj Thumma, executive secretary of FTC, said, “The community has enough strength that it can play a deciding roll in 38 to 40 constituencies. Though it has such a vital role in the formation of a government, we have not received our due credit.”
Apart from the seats, the FTC also asked for Scheduled Caste status for Dalit Christians.
The next Telangana Legislative Assembly election is scheduled to be held on December 7.
In Telangana, the Vidhan Sabha, or Legislative Assembly, has 119 constituencies, including 18 reserved for the Scheduled Castes candidates and 9 for the Scheduled tribes candidates.
Source: The Hindu