Nagpur: A newbie political party and an independent candidate are looking to tap into the Christian vote bank during the upcoming Lok Sabha election. With independent Reuben Dominic Francis and Christian-leaning Hum Bharatiya Party’s (HBP) VN Gaikwad in the poll fray, it’s probably for the first time that two Christian candidates are fighting it out in the city for the community’s vote share.Vandana Benjamin, vice-president of HBP, said “Ours is a pan-Maharashtra party that is contesting elections for the first time since its inception in 2017. We are committed to working towards upliftment of Christians and all other minorities so that they come into the mainstream. For years, bigger parties have exploited minorities and time has come for things to change.”Benjamin further said, “There are around 1.5 lakh Christian voters in Nagpur Lok Sabha constituency and we are sure of getting a lot of support.”Independent candidate Francis said he has been preparing for the polls for over the last 1.5 years and is confident of getting a sizeable share of Christian votes. “Nothing has been done for the Christian community since independence. Today, the community is not represented adequately in government services or policymaking apparatus. My political fight, is for all such neglected minorities,” said Francis.Since both Francis and Benjamin accept that the Christian vote bank is headed for a split, their electoral debut seems to be more of a ‘muscle flexing’ exercise. Francis said, “The national parties feel that Christians are just a 2% group and not to be taken seriously. Numbers will be substantiated for the first time after votes are counted and it will be proven how important the Christian votes are.”Benjamin too said this was a time to test the political waters. “The bigger parties have always taken Christian votes for granted. This election will prove how that negligence can prove costly and how important it is to nurture minority votes as well,” said Benjamin.Many in the community felt that a tie-up between the two would have consolidated the vote bank, in a constituency where BJP has fielded a very strong candidate. Francis clarified, “I was always clear about fighting as an independent. I have never changed that decision, so it is not a question of avoiding anyone.”HBP isn’t fretting about the split. “Either way, we have to keep focus on the total Christian community vote bank. It will help us plan better for assembly polls too,” said Benjamin.The twin challenge for the Christian community vote bank is not bothering Congress either. Vikas Thakre, city unit chief, said, “Christian voters have always put faith in us and last year also they gave good response to Mallikarjun Kharge’s public meeting at Mecosabagh Christian Colony. I am convinced our Christian brothers and sisters won’t let votes be split.”

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