Catholic body expresses hope in UPA victory

The apex body of the Catholic Church in India is confident that the Congress-led UPA government will keep the communal forces at bay and will restore confidence among religious minorities.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI), after the landslide victory of the UPA government, said it hopes the new government will "keep its promises of safeguarding the country from communal and divisive forces."

The Catholic body welcomed people's decision to vote for a secular and progressive government. "The apex body of the Catholic Church in India is pleased to know that the Indian voters have made a right choice in placing their faith in the UPA to lead the country for the next five years."

However, concerned over the minorities in the country, CBCI urged the UPA government to "restore confidence among all sections of people particularly among the religious minorities for providing a stable, secular and democratic government."

"The Christian community in India has always supported political parties who have stood for the rights of the poor and the marginalized," the Catholic body declared.

Prior to the election, the CBCI had appealed to the voters to elect a government committed to safeguard the secular characteristics of the country and to work for all communities irrespective of caste, color and creed.