Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)

PANAJI: Irked with some Catholic priests for purportedly urging the faithful not to vote for AAP, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday accused some priests of being “commercial agents” of Congress. AAP state convenor Elvis Gomes, who made the sharp statement, clarified that he was referring to a small number of priests who had openly asked Catholics to vote for Congress.

“Everyone knows that they (priests) are commercial agents of Congress. They live a life of duplicity,” said Gomes. “People know about them and hence it doesn’t matter much.”

Gomes made the statement in response to a query about priests in South Goa making last-minute appeals to their parishioners on the day of Lok Sabha election to vote for Congress.

“Some (priests) do feel they should contribute to the Congress. There are three or four who really act like agents. They leave religion aside and play politics,” said Gomes.

Congress was quick to react and called Gomes’ statement a sign that AAP was frustrated with polling trends.

“This shows the convenience of AAP. Whenever the priests support them, AAP is happy,” said state Congress president Girish Chodankar. “Secular people did not fall prey to the AAP’s gimmicks, so maybe that is why AAP is frustrated. Last assembly election, like BJP they were praising the Church. This time when the guidelines went against AAP, they criticize the Church.”

Just days before the April 23 polls, Archbishop of Goa and Daman Filipe Neri Ferrao had urged the Goan electorate to vote out corrupt and communal candidates who promote division in society.

Congress claimed that AAP was the second team of BJP and was trying to break Congress’ votes.

