Team Herald
PANJIM: The demolition of the Little Flower Church in Delhi has sparked political rifts between the three parties in Goa namely the BJP, AAP, and Congress.
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The Congress and Benaulim NCP MLA Churchill Alemao held the Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government liable for the demolition. However, earlier this week, the Church authorities stated in favour of the Delhi Chief Minister, acknowledging Kejriwal’s statement that the demolition was carried out by a government body under the Central government without the knowledge of the AAP-led Delhi government, the AAP stated in a press note.
They added that the Little Flower Church was demolished on July 12, a day before the Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal visited Goa as a part of the AAP’s election campaign. As a response to a question at the Panjim Convention Centre during a press conference, Kejriwal said: “I am told that the demolition was done by DDA which comes under the central government. The Delhi government has no control over it. Our local MLAs are involved with the church. Our Chhatarpur MLA Tanwarji is with them, with the Church and we will continue to provide whatever help they need”.
Corroborating Kejriwal’s claim, a few days later, Parish Priest Fr Jose Kannumkuzhy of the church issued a statement saying, “It appears the demolition was done by some local officials in collusion with some local people, without the knowledge of the concerned Government. The Chief Minister has regretted the demolition and assured us his full cooperation and justice in this matter. We have full faith in the Chief Minister,” the statement said.
While the church’s statement and the series of events before it put the allegations against the AAP to rest, the issue has continued to occupy space in Goa’s political ambit mainly because of the two parties, namely the Congress and NCP, holding on to it. Despite resolution among the stakeholders, the two parties continue to cause a furore over this despite knowing how the division of power works in Delhi. Furthermore, they have remained silent on the BJP-led Central government’s involvement in the same, the press note added.
