SHILLONG: The Garo Baptist Convention (ABDK) refuted the allegation that some churches in the state have been offered money by a particular political party saying it was baseless.
In a statement issued here, the general secretary of the Garo Baptist Convention in Tura, JR Sangma, said no political party offered money or sops to the apex Baptist Church organisation with a view to influence our members.
“Separation of church and state is one of the distinctive features of the Baptist Church polity. The Garo Baptist Church is apolitical and neutral in its political dealings,” he said and added that the church does not believe in influencing its members to vote for a particular party or candidate.
“Irrespective of whichever party forming the government after the election, it will continue to play its prophetic role in the society by fighting against all that is evil and detrimental to the secular democratic fabric of the country in general and the state of Meghalaya in particular,” he added.
Sangma was reacting to Congress’s allegation that BJP was offering money to religious institutions to gain votes.
The Garo Baptist Convention (ABDK) urged citizens to exercise their franchise wisely and prayerfully without fear or inducement on February 27 to make way for a stable, pro-people government and peaceful Meghalaya.