A three-day prayer meeting organised last week in Vijayawada has the Andhra Pradesh Opposition up in arms.

They are accusing the government of using the state machinery to help evangelist Brother Anil Kumar organise the Jesus Christ Blessings Festival -- he is the son-in-law of Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy.

Husband of Reddy`s daughter Sharmila, Anil Kumar began preaching over a decade ago under the aegis of Anil World Evangelism but it was not until December 2008 that he started gaining prominence, organising his first Jesus Christ Blessings Festival in Secunderabad.

Although he is known for maintaining a low profile, huge hoardings announcing the arrival of the 38-year-old Brother have come up in several cities and towns across Andhra Pradesh.

Other than the fact that he is the Chief Minister`s son-in-law, Opposition parties feel there is more to Anil Kumar`s sudden exposure to the public. The publicity overdrive since December has coincided with the state government`s spat with another self-styled evangelist K A Paul, founder of Gospel to Unreached Millions and Global Peace Initiative. Paul publicly accused the Chief Minister of being vindictive because he did not provide funds for his elections and was, therefore, being denied funds for various charity organisations.

Political parties are alleging that the CM is propping up his son-in-law to counter and suppress K A Paul and are questioning the source of funds for the huge programmes that Anil Kumar has been organising.

Anil World Evangelism is a little known organisation. Where is it getting all the money from to organise such huge events? Crores have been spent on life-size billboards that have been put up all over Vijayawada. Who is behind the mobilisation of the 2 to 3 lakh people who attended the programme said TDP spokesperson N Rajkumar.

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