Virbhadra accuses BJP of fanning casteism, regionalism

Launching a scathing attack on the BJP, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbharda Singh today accused it of spreading "casteism and regionalism" like a contagious disease, saying people would cure it by vaccinating with votes.
Addressing a public meeting at Bharmad in Jawali area of Kangra district, about 300 km from here, he said, "politics is serving the people and not confined to get votes by misleading them, and the government would allow the religion, caste or regional considerations in the way of development".
"Casteism and regionalism is like a contagious disease being spread by the BJP but the people would cure it by vaccinating it with votes during elections," Singh alleged during the second phase of winter sojourn to lower areas.

Claiming that such tactics would not work anymore, he said there is enough awareness among people and they would not vote in the name or religion, caste or region and prefer development.
Singh said the state has made tremendous progress but there is no limit to development and that it has to be a continuous process for betterment of people.
The focus is now on rural areas as 92 per cent people live in villages, the Chief Minister added.