Christians in Nepal enter politics. First Christian woman elected
Previously they could not take part in the elections. Christian parties and Christian representation in other parties grow, winning in some local units. Angela Tamang, Christian Indigenous, was elected municipal vice-president.
Kathmandu (AsiaNews) – Banned from the Himalayan political scenario until 10 years ago, Christians are now a growing political force: Christian party leaders are emerging, while non-Christian parties recognize them as political representatives for the support of the Christian population.
For the first time in Nepal's history, Christians were chosen as representatives of some local units in the first phase of local elections held on 14 May.
Angela Tamang of Gangajamuna, a municipality in the district of Dhading, was elected vice-president: "I belong to the indigenous community of Tamang. In the past we were discriminated, but we persevered in praying to God and our commitment to witnessing the gospel. We have a very strong Christian community here. We want to expand and serve God through service to the whole community. "
"I am very excited to have won the election, as a Christian woman - continues Tamang - Thank God for blessing me and our community. My prayers and the grace of God were the keys to my victory. An indigenous woman like me would never have hoped for such a result if I had been Hindu. God has traced my path and guided me. "
"I serve the whole community without distinction for their faith," she concludes.
Tamang is one of the Christian representatives elected for the first time in Nepal's local elections. Final results from the elections have yet to be published.
For C.B. Gahatraj, president of the Christian Federation, "this is good news for Christians that a woman has won and started her political career as a Christian. She encourages other Christians to enter politics. "
The leader of the Christian party Rastriya Mukti Andolan (National Liberation Movement), J.B. Shah, recalls that "before secularism we were banned from participating in politics as Christians": "These are the first local elections, we still have to reach the people with the Gospels and our Christian identity. Thousands of people are waiting to vote. We are ready for the second phase of the election. We are growing fast. "
"The problems we still have - he adds - is that we must be united in front of God. There are five Christian parties. Four of us have decided to join, but the process is not yet complete because each one declares themselves the leader. If we had been united, we would have won more local units."
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19/05/2017 10:14
