Former catholic seminarian in charge for BJP Meghalaya polls

Mangalore Today News Network

Shillong, Sep 08,  2017: The BJP has appointed newly appointed tourism minister from Kerala, Alphonse Kannanthanam, for the upcoming Meghalaya polls.

Kannanthanam was a seminarian of late Bishop Abraham Alangimattathil of Kohima-Imphal diocese.  He was a student of Philosophy at the Christ the King College Shillong early 1970.

Speaking to media, former secretary of CBCI Commission for Education, Rev Kuriala Chittattukalam congratulated his former student for the ministerial appointment and the new responsibility for BJP in Meghalaya.

“He was an intelligent student and used to raise questions and demanded clarifications during Philosophy class,” recalls Rev Chittattukalam his former teacher current head of Don Bosco Doomni, Assam.

After completion of his graduation in Shillong cleric Kannanthanam was assigned for regency in Imphal, Manipur from where he discontinued his journey toward priesthood in the church.

Archbishop Dominc Jala of Shillong who is known to Kannanthanam from his Shillong base days told media  “ Look forward to having a constructive dialogue for the future of the people of Meghalaya irrespective of any party or ideology.”

Welcoming Kannanthanam’s appointment a bishop from Meghalaya stated,  “ we are proud of his achievement and sincere work, but his ideology is not agreeable to the people of Meghalaya, especially the Christian population.”   Meghalaya, a Christian stronghold has four dioceses (Jowai, Nongstoin, Shillong and Tura), out of 15 dioceses distributed among the state of North East.  Archbishop John Moolachira of Guwahati was Kannanthanam’s senior at college in Shillong.  Kannanthanam is bound to find several of his college mates among clergy in North East.

Some Christian leaders in Shillong are  sceptical about the outcome of BJP’s game plan in assigning an ex-seminarian to boost  the chances of the Hindutva party in Christian strong hold state.