Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Friday said that it had been the modus operandi of many BJP leaders to resort to "cheap tactics" of dividing the people on basis of caste, region and religion near elections.
Addressing a public meeting at Shahpur after announcing and laying foundation stone of various developmental projects in Shahpur assembly constituency of Kangra district, he said BJP had spoiled the political atmosphere in the state by involving themselves in hooliganism.
"My party will never resort to such a strategy, which smells of regionalism and casteism and division ignoring welfare of people," he said.
Singh said leaders of BJP used derogatory language in Vidhan Sabha thus making mockery of democratic institutions. "They never wanted the session to continue but strangely, they did not forget to mark their presence, for the sake of honorarium," alleged the Chief Minister.
The opposition is inseparable part of democratic set up which is necessary in running a state or a country but the role of opposition in Himachal is just to create pandemonium in the house, to indulge in sloganeering, mud slinging etc, said Virbhadra Singh.
He said it has never been the practice of the Congress and never in his lifetime he has seen political atmosphere, stooping to the lowest ebb, in the state for which, he blamed the opposition.
I am being targeted for opening educational institutions in the state by the BJP, said Chief Minister, adding that the BJP wants the people of the state to remain illiterate so that they can easily trap the people by motivating them with their cheap tactics. Singh said that he would continue with opening up
centres of learning wherever required, as literate and educated society, led to a strong nation.
The longest serving chief minister of the state, said stand of Union Health Minister is not clear on opening of AIIMS. The State government has provided enough land for construction of AIIMS, but the Union Health Minister, should first decide, where the Union Health Ministry wants to open the institution.
He also counted the developments in health, welfare, and other sectors.
Vice-Chairman, HP State Forest Corporation, Kewal Singh Pathania came down heavily on BJP for ignoring interests of the state. He credited the development of the state to Virbhadra Singh. He said Congress would give a befitting reply to those who were conspiring against the party within and outside the party. He also lambasted the sitting MlA, from the region for neglecting the area even during her tenure as a minister in BJP regime.