India exercised franchise "clearly, decisively and positively": EFI

Following the electoral triumph of the Congress-led UPA government, the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI) on Sunday hailed the electorate for exercising their franchise "clearly, decisively and positively."

In the month-long mammoth election that began last month, the Congress party led a commanding victory with 262 Lok Sabha seats eventually routing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Rev. Richard Howell, the general secretary of EFI, in a press release, said the Hindu nationalist BJP should introspect and consider it as the "voters' verdict against the politics of polarization, whether in Gujarat or in Orissa."

"Almost all commentators have agreed that as much as it was a vote for the Congress, it was a vote against the extreme Right (BJP) and the extreme Left (Communists)," he said.

The evangelical leader opines that the "X" factor political pundits stressed in the verdict of Election 2009, is the spiritual force. "The Evangelical Fellowship of India believes that this "X Factor" is God."

Unlike past elections, the recent wave of anti-Christian violence in the country, had led Christian bodies and prayer groups go on knees, for a secular and upright government.

"We believe that this verdict is also an answer to much prayer especially after Kandhamal, Orissa. God does hear prayer and delivers. It is in that sense that "the voice of the people is the voice of God"," Rev. Howell said.

The Christian leader congratulated Dr. Manmohan Singh, calling it an achievement of what only Nehru accomplished before - returned to power after a full term as Prime Minister of independent India. "However, it is God who continues to be seated on the throne over all nations including our dear India," he declared.

EFI has urged Indian Christians to pray for the authorities of this new government; for the Congress leaders to be humble and work to be worthy of the mandate given by the Indian electorate; for wisdom in government formation and for peace, security and prosperity of India.