India, Sept. 23 -- Samajwadi Party general secretary Shivpal Yadav on Wednesday alleged that the BJP wants to turn the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly election into a Hindu-Muslim contest, saying his party would instead keep its focus on development and social justice.

Speaking to reporters while travelling from Azamgarh to Deoria, Yadav said the BJP habitually diverts attention from real issues by making elections about religion. "The BJP wants every election to become a Hindu-Muslim contest to divert people's attention from real issues. But we will not be distracted and will remain focused on development and social justice," he said.

Yadav said the SP would continue raising concerns of backward classes, Dalits and minorities, and without ...