Ever since popular evangelist Brother Anil Kumar, brother-in-law of Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, hinted at floating a new political party in the state, he has been under severe criticism from his fellow Christian groups.
They have now started bringing to light the alleged irregularities being committed by Bro Anil in the name of evangelism. They have warned him against creating rift among the Christians for his political ambitions.
The latest allegation about Bro Anil Kumar is his undue interference in the activities of Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church (AELC), a 180-year-old institution that has huge properties and institutions across the state, including the popular Andhra Christian College, Guntur.
On Monday, members of the AELC held a meeting to condemn the interference of Anil Kumar in the church affairs. While only church members are supposed to be in the managing committee, outsiders claiming the support of Anil Kumar have usurped the posts, they alleged.
They alleged that one Lazarus Abraham, said to be a close associate of Anil Kumar, has been appointed as the treasurer and he has been misusing the church properties.
They raised slogans against Anil and demanded that the chief minister intervene in the matter and keep Anil away from the church activities.
Last month, too, National Christian Board chairman John Mask held a press conference in Vijayawada and alleged that certain individuals like Lazaraus, who had a rowdy sheet on his name in the police records, had usurped the church properties and sold them to various commercial and business establishments.
He said these people, claiming to be closer to YSR Congress party leaders and Bro Anil Kumar, have been grabbing all the posts in the managing committee.
“We have all the evidences against these people,” he said.