Rivals dividing country on caste, religious lines: Congress in UP

Meerut: Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Sunday slammed rival political parties, accusing them of dividing the country on caste and religious lines.

Addressing 'Janakrosh Rally' at the Gymkhana ground here, Azad attacked his political opponents saying while BJP exploited religion to divide the country, SP and BSP did the same on caste lines.

"Those who are trying to divide the country in the name of caste and religion have no contributions in the Independence struggle. Congress leaders have sacrificed their lives before and after Independence and people should strengthen such a party," he said.

He said the country can only progress if politics is delinked from caste and religion.

Congress chief ministerial candidate Sheila Dikhsit, Uttar Pradesh Congres chief Raj Babbar and party leader Nagma, who were supposed to attend the rally, did not turn up for the event.

He said the upcoming election in UP is a test not only for political parties but also for voters in the state.

He claimed several development projects in the state were undertaken and completed by Congress governments but "we are accused of doing nothing" for the progress of the country.

"(Prime Minister Narendra) Modi says Congress has done nothing. Who started these schools, colleges, universities, railways, and roads? Whatever development has happened in UP and the country has been carried out by Congress governments," he claimed.