Saturday, January 22 2005 16:14 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: Decrying participation of Karnataka Chief Minister N Dharam Singh in the controversial American pastor Benny Hinn's prayer programme, BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) charged that with this the Government has given "official tag" to what it called for "conversion of people into Christianity".

The Chief Minister by gracing the function along with some of his cabinet colleagues, despite outcry from public and pontiffs, has not only rolled out a red carpet to Hinn, but also supported the conversion programme of the pastor, Opposition BJP leader in the State Assembly B S Yediyurappa alleged at a press conference in Bangalore.

Singh attended the programme yesterday to appease Congress president Sonia Gandhi and to save his Chief Minister's chair, he charged.

Yediyurappa, repudiating the claims of Hinn that the Chief Minister would get "some good things" hereafter, claimed, Infact, the countdown for downfall of Singh has now begun".

He also flayed the statements by KPCC (Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee) Janardhana Poojary in support of the "Festival of Blessings-- Pray for India" three-day programme, which began in Bangalore yesterday (Jan 21, 2005).

Yediyurappa and other BJP leaders staged dharna in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue later in the day in protest against Hinn's programme.