RANCHI, JAN 7 (UCAN) -- Jharkhand state's new chief minister, Shibu Soren, who took power in alliance with the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has told Catholic bishops the Church has his full support.

"I appreciate the work the Church is doing in Jharkhand under their leadership. I need their prayers and support," he told UCA News.

Soren, leader of thea regional Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (Jharkhand liberation front), told a delegation of bishops his government would help the Church acquire land for a medical school and a 500-bed hospital in the state.

He also assured them the education and health ministries would be in "good hands" after the bishops voiced concern that the BJP planned to take over these ministries.

Cardinal Telesphore Placidus Toppo of Ranchi, who led a six-member delegation in calling on Soren on Jan. 5, told UCA News he has known the tribal politician for many decades and the two became friends when he was bishop of Dumka, Soren's native region.

"He has a special love for the Church," the cardinal said. "We explained to him how the Church had faced problems under the earlier BJP government. He praised the Church's work in Jharkhand and assured us his government would give full support to it."

A BJP-led alliance ruled the state for six years from 2000.

"The Church didn't have a pleasant experience during this period. The government completely neglected the Church," Cardinal Toppo said. But he added that the meeting with Soren, who he described as "our man," had been reassuring.

Soren became chief minister on Dec. 30 after a four-phased election ended in a divided verdict. His party won only 18 seats in the 80-member legislative assembly but Soren made a post-election alliance with BJP and the All Jharkhand Students Union, another regional party.

The Church was concerned about a possible BJP takeover of the education and health ministries, areas where the Church has invested heavily.

"Soren has assured us that he would give these ministries to good hands," Cardinal Toppo said.

The cardinal also told Soren about the difficulties the Church was having in acquiring the 40 hectares of land needed for a new medical school and hospital.

Cardinal Toppo said the plan appeared to excite Soren who asked the delegation to identify the land and said his government would help acquire it.

Others in the delegation were Bishops Charles Soreng of Hazaribag, Gabriel Kujur of Daltonganj, Felix Toppo of Jamshedpur, Paul Lakra of Gumla and Julius Marandi of Dumka.