India's Political Landscape

[Seeker]

Hi,

I know there are more than a few members of this community who live in India.  I noticed that the BJP recently lost to the Congress Party.  

I don't know what each party stands for, but I have heard of difficulties in some parts of India for people trying to convert to Christianity.  Should this change in power help or hurt that situation?

[Ajay]

BJP and its allies faced a much unexpected loss to Congress and it's allies, with many of the old stalwarts losing miserably to newbies (if you can say so).

Don't really know how much this change will be there from the religion point of view.

Though there are a wide variety of comments, I prefer be neutral and watch the situation right now.

You can read about the political stories along with general stories from http://www.ndtv.com

[Seeker]

Thanks Ajay!

[Melody]

Well Seeker,

Here's some brief History of India's PMs (Prime Ministers):

After independence, the Congress Party, the party of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, ruled India under the influence first of Nehru and then his daughter and grandson, with the exception of two brief periods in the 1970s and 1980s. It was as under:

Jawaharlal Nehru - First PM of India
His Daughter Indira Gandhi - First Woman PM & third PM
Her son Rajiv Gandhi - PM who won more seats in the 1989 elections than any other single party

The new PM of the Country is slated to be Mrs. Sonia Gandhi - widow of the late Rajiv Gandhi. The Gandhi's as you can see from the above are sort of the first family of India in a way & the closest thing to royalty we have.

Now here's the deal: Sonia is originally from Italy. She is a Christian and a Catholic. She didn't convert to Hinduism because Rajiv was a great supporter of the Christians (as was Mahatma Gandhi & Nehru).

So we will (in all probability) have not only a woman PM but a Christian one too.

Will that help the situation with the Christians in India? One can never be too sure with Politics. But it certainly seems a better bet than the old BJP Hindu oriented government.

Blessings on India & on all,

Melody

PS: I'm super thrilled with the elections results!!

[Seeker]

Melody,

Thanks for the brief political science course on India.  

If Mrs. Gandhi applies her religious principles in her political life (unlike some US politicians) you should be in good hands.  

But, as you said, no one can be too sure with politics.  I guess that's why prayer is so important.  

Isn't there some Scriptural basis for praying for our secular leadership?  The verse escapes me at the moment.

Blessings upon India and you all.