'Happens Everywhere’: Undeterred Kamal Nath Reiterates His Stand on Jobs First for Locals

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posted on 5 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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The opposition parties had turned on offensive over the statement accusing Nath of indulging in “divisive politics” and working against the sentiments of the federal structure of the constitution.

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Wednesday stood by his statement that local youth should get preference in jobs ahead of migrants from UP and Bihar and suggested that other states too follow the same practice.

“Yeh sab jagah hai, anya states mein bhi hai. Maine kaunsi nayi baat kari? Local logon ko preference milni chahiye (This is happening everywhere. I haven't said anything new. Local people should get preference in jobs),” said Kamal Nath.

“Other states including Gujarat also apply the same rule while offering employment,” he said.

Meanwhile, a case has been filed against the Madhya Pradesh CM at a court in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur district.

The petitioner has said in the plea that Nath's remark amounted to creating an atmosphere of distrust for migrant workers in Madhya Pradesh.

Several opposition parties, including, BJP had gone on the offensive over the statement accusing Nath of indulging in “divisive politics” and working against the sentiments of the federal structure of the Constitution.

The statement had also evoked angry responses from the leaders of UP and Bihar.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, a potential ally of the proposed Mahagathbandhan, reacted angrily to the anti-migrant pitch from Nath.

"This is wrong. In Maharashtra, you hear questions like why have north Indians come here. Why are north Indians doing business here? The same questions come from Delhi. Now this is coming from Madhya Pradesh. If north Indians get together and decide then who will come to the centre," Akhilesh Yadav had said.

Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath too lashed out at the Congress for its “divisive statements” and urged Congress chief Rahul Gandhi to apologise for it.

Nath, while assuming office on Monday, had announced that investment incentives would only be extended to those who would be offering 70% jobs to the locals while claiming that it often remains the case that people of other states run away with most jobs generated locally.

The BJP had portrayed it as an insult to the residents of UP and Bihar.