MP CM Kamal Nath justifies remarks on UP, Bihar migrants, says ‘locals first’; Shivraj takes a dig

New Delhi: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, who has been at the centre of a storm over his announcement that only those industries which employ 70 per cent locals could avail incentives from the state government, on Wednesday justified his remarks and said other states also have policies giving employment preference to locals.

While talking to reporters, the MP CM said that such policy exists everywhere “and in other states too. I have not said anything news”, adding “locals should get preference.”

Earlier today, a complaint was registered by social activist Tamanna Hashmi in a court in Muzaffarpur against Nath, alleging the MP CM made insulting remarks against the people of Bihar and UP.

Soon after taking an oath as the MP CM, Nath had on Monday announced a new state government policy under which industries will have to give 70 per cent employment to local youths if they wanted to avail investment incentives. “A lot of industries are set up in which people from other states, like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, come to work. I do not want to criticise them, but the youth of Madhya Pradesh are deprived (of jobs)”.

“So those who want to come here and take advantage of the investment policies will have to give employment to 70 per cent locals of Madhya Pradesh. I have already signed on the file in this regard”, he had said.

Nath’s remarks were heavily criticised by parties like the BJP, JD(U), and RJD. Earlier today, BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal raised the issue during Zero Hour in Lok Sabha, saying the newly-elected MP CM should apologise.

“Kamal Nath has tried to divide the country on the basis of region. The House must condemn it. He should be summoned to the Parliament and asked to apologise,” Jaiswal said.