CPM agrees to talks with church in Kerala

In a bid to woo the Christian community in Kerala, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Tuesday decided to enter talks with the Church.

In a statement, the ruling CPI(M) agreed to dialogue with the Church over several issues including those in the education sector which has kept both at loggerheads in the state.

The release came just days after the Church expressed its willingness to have a positive discussion that can iron out the disagreements and opinions that have separated the two.

"We welcome Major Archbishop Baselios Mar Cleemis's call for an open dialogue with the party and the government," the CPM release said.

The statement apparently is seen as a sign of 'desperation' by the Communists who faced an electoral drubbing in Kerala, last month. A poll review also identified that one of many reasons for its loss in the state - was the alienation of Christian votes.

Last week, educational institutions of the Catholic Church were attacked during a protest rally against Governor R S Gavai's decision to permit CBI to prosecute party's state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan.

Kerala Bishops' Council denounced the attacks and said "resorting to violence by any political party while protesting is always anti democratic."