Mandal polls: Minority quota rules violated, fakes nominated, say Christian leaders

Forum chairman Oliver Rayi said these positions were offered to those who produced fake baptismal certificates overnight depriving Christian minorities. He said only Christians by birth are entitled to these posts.

He said giving these posts to people with fake certificates is not only an injustice to the Christian community but also a circumvention of the law.

"With close to 14 nominations to the MPP post in the Vizag district made under questionable and fraudulent means, it seems that government officials too were pressurized to act under duress," he said.

Some of the nominations made under the Christian Minority category are -from Anakapalli Bonda Appalaraju (Kapu), from Atchutapuram Chepala Sriramulu (fisherman community), from Bheemili Kakara Ellarao (Setti Baliji), from Buchhayapeta Kolimela Atchinaidu (Turpu Kapu), etc.

Oliver Rayi demanded an inquiry into these bunglings and called for stern action against the culprits.

"Such actions by the government create distrust between the community and the government. With the Christian community facing a lot of unnecessary criticism, such acts with political support may also imply that government by itself is enticing conversions luring them with posts," said Rayi.

He said the very purpose of such reservations was defeated, and the government needs to cancel these nominations.