The archbishop of Delhi, Anil Couto, has claimed that a "turbulent political atmosphere" in the country posed a threat to India's constitutional principles and secular fabric, and appealed to followers of his faith for a "prayer campaign".
Couto had written a letter to all parish priests and religious institutions in the Delhi archdiocese a few days before the May 12 Karnataka elections.
The archbishop, in his letter, said, "We are witnessing a turbulent political atmosphere, which poses threat to democratic principles enshrined in the Constitution and the secular fabric of our nation."
The prayer format states: "May the ethos of true democracy envelop our elections with dignity and the flames of honest patriotism enkindle our political leaders."