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ShareBhopal: Doing a Raj Thackeray in Madhya Pradesh, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday asked companies in his state not to employ Biharis at the cost of locals. However, as shrill reaction to the comment started trickling in, he did a U-turn saying he didn't mean to offend anyone.
"Locals should be given preference in employment in industries in the state. It should not happen that people come from outside... Bihar and get the jobs here," Chouhan said at a function in Satna on Friday, adding, "We will not allow anyone to take the livelihood of our young people."
The comment evoked sharp reactions from across the political spectrum. Former Bihar chief minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad took the lead in condemning Chauhan. He called the remark "unconstitutional" and sought an apology from the MP chief minister. "He has used bad words (against Biharis). Chauhan should apologise or we will launch an agitation," he said.
Demanding Chauhan's resignation, Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief Ramvilas Paswan said, "A person holding a top constitutional post should not react in this manner."
Congress spokesman KK Mishra said in Bhopal, "Thackeray's spirit seems to have entered Chauhan's body"
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena chief Raj Thackeray has been in the thick of controversy for his aggressive stand on migrants from Bihar. In Delhi, Congress spokesman Manish Tiwari said: "The constitution is clear in this regard...any citizen can move anywhere within the country and work...and no government or person is above the constitution...If a CM speaks like that it is irresponsible and should be criticised."
