Divisive politics not in country's interest: Virbhadra

Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra singh today dubbed the forces trying to divide the country in the name of religion, caste and region as enemies of the nation and called upon people to thwart the nefarious designs of such forces.
"Every citizen has a right to practice his own religion but the forces who want to divide the people of the country on the basis of caste, region and religion are the enemies of the Nation and we must ensure that designs of such forces are thwarted", Chief minister said while addressing a public meeting at Chintpurni in Una district.

"Secularism does not allow discrimination or dissensions on the basis of religion, caste and language", he said adding it had been observed that several people in the country were playing divisive politics and harming the interests of the country.
He said that the Congress did not believe in politics of caste, region and religion and considered entire India as one where every individual could practice his religion and all the religious are respected in the country.
Singh said that Shyama Prasad Mukerjee, founder of Jan Sangh was different than the present BJPs leaders and decency in politics had sunk to a new low and politics of mud slinging has taken over the real politics for public service.

"The former Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal got my lands measured about eight times and now I will also move a step further to get his property evaluated," Singh said.

He said that more than 1,000 schools had been opened or upgraded in the state besides opening of 24 ITI's and two engineering colleges.
As many as 29 colleges had been opened in the state mostly in remote and rural areas during past three years raising the total number of government colleges to 94.
The CM said that today there were more than 3,4500 kilometers of roads in the state and over 1,366 km new motorable roads and 134 bridges had been constructed during the last three years and 255 villages have been provided road connectivity.

Apart from this, three medical colleges were being opened in Hamirpur, Chamba and Nahan. IIT in Mandi, AIIMS in Bilaspur and Indian Institute of Management at Dhaula Kuan.
Lauding the efforts and contributions of Ambedkar for the country, Singh offered floral tributes to Baba Sahib and administered oath of social harmony on the occasion.