Kerala Jacobite Syrian Church head praises Modi

Kochi, Jan 3: Gujarat chief minister and the BJP's prime ministerial candidate

has received support from a very unlikely camp -

Church in

. As reported by The Telegraph, the head of the Jacobite Syrian Church in Kerala, Thomas Mar Timotheos, stated that followers of the Jacobite Church in Kerala or Gujarat did not have any problems with Modi.

"Followers of the Jacobite faction in Kerala do not have any problems with Modi. We also have believers in Gujarat. They too don't have any difficulties with Modi. In fact, they applaud his developmental efforts,'' the priest said. He was talking to reporters after meeting the BJP national secretary PK Krishnadas on Wednesday.

The Syrian church head is the second Christian leader to support Modi. Earlier, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church Baselios Mar Thoma Paulose II had declared his support for Modi. However, the religious leader later withdrew his statement."There is a general perception that he (Modi) is not a tolerant person. I never had a chance to know him personally," Catholicos Baselios MarThoma Poulose II had said. "But members of our community in Gujarat say he has taken a very helpful stand in (relation to) their businesses, enabling them to pursue their trade without being caught in any red tape."

The Syrian Christians in Kerala are one of the richest communities in the state. The sect, dominated by businessmen and professionals, seem to back Modi for his efforts to boost economy in Gujarat.

The BJP, ahead of Lok Sabha polls, is going all out to garner support for Modi. The party has been trying woo various Churches and earn their support for the party.

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