simcha – I never heard of such a thing though some people might like to spout lies, I have seen firsthand how much Abutbul has built up the city of Beit Shemesh (ie Dati Leumi and Chiloni parts) as well – between apartment projects by BIG (not for chareidim at all), the Naimi Mall, BIG Fashion mall which is American style and very modern in their area, the ezor taasiya (industrial area), expanding both the back highway and fighting for the 38 expansion – which services everyone…and that’s only what I know about firsthand!
besalel – it’s about much more than that, not a racist thing. In this country if you have a charedi candidate it’s known that they will basically be a proxy (and listen with every move) to the gedolei hador, which can’t be said about their counterparts…