Kamal Nath's 'job-stealing' remark draws protest in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh

Newly inducted Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath's statement regarding people of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar taking up the jobs of local youths has stirred up fresh controversy with Bihar's ruling BJP-JD(U) combine slamming him for promoting "regionalism and divisive politics".

In UP, Samajwadi Party supremo Akhilesh Yadav termed Kamal Nath's claim 'wrong' and said: We used to hear such things from Maharastra, where it is being said why North Indians come here, do business and take jobs. Similar voices came from Delhi. Now it's from MP.

After assuming office on Monday, Kamal Nath said, "People from other states like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh come here and local people don't get jobs. Our schemes of providing incentives of investment will only be imposed after 70% people from Madhya Pradesh get employment."

Some senior BJP leaders sought to remind Kamal Nath that he himself was born in Uttar Pradesh, educated in Kolkata and his business interests were spread across the country.

"Kamal Nath's comments on the people of Bihar is extremely condemnable. They have not been in power for even two days yet and their arrogance and true nature has started to show. He has already started sowing the seeds of regionalism in MP," said BJP state president Nityanand Rai.

Rai alleged "casteism and regionalism" were the basis of the politics done by Congress and demanded that Kamal Nath, as well as party president Rahul Gandhi, apologise to the people of Bihar for insulting them. "This is not the first time that the Congress leaders have insulted the people of Bihar. In many such an instigating remark, Kamal Nath has only followed the tradition set by other party leaders who have made a similar statement against residents of Bihar," he said.

Ally JD(U) also spoke in the same vein and party MLC and spokesperson Neeraj Kumar said, "While Rahul Gandhi talked of saving the Constitution, his CM talks of promoting regionalism. People from Bihar get jobs on the basis of their hard work and such comments are an insult to them."

Ally Too Protests

In Patna, Congress was isolated as its ally RJD criticised Nath with its spokesman Bhai Virendra saying such comments should be avoided as every citizen of the country is free to live and work anywhere.