Madhya Pradesh CM Kamal Nath’s comments on jobs for locals draws flak from Akhilesh Yadav of Samajwadi Party, Congress’ potential ally for 2019.
New Delhi: The Congress high command, alarmed by the controversy over newly-elected Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath’s remarks about migrants snatching jobs from locals, Tuesday asked him to clear the air on the issue.
A top Congress functionary told ThePrint that Nath has been asked to clarify his remarks — construed as “anti-migrants” — in a “damage control” exercise. The Madhya Pradesh CM is expected to issue a statement to address the concerns and apprehensions expressed by opposition parties.
Earlier in the day, Congress president Rahul Gandhi had said he was not aware of Nath’s scheme. “I will discuss this issue, I am not aware of this. I will study this issue, I have just been informed about it,” he said.
On Monday, soon after taking charge, Nath announced a farm loan waiver and said more jobs will be created for locals as they had been deprived of employment due to the presence of “outsiders” from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. He said that incentives under the industrial policy would be given only to those industries that provide jobs to 70 per cent local people in the state.
The statement drew sharp criticism from opposition parties, which said the Congress was indulging in divisive politics.
Also read: Kamal Nath’s ‘outsiders’ remark upsets Congress’ potential 2019 allies
Akhilesh lashes out
The Congress may be worried that Nath’s remarks, which irked prospective allies, could spell trouble for it ahead of the Lok Sabha elections next year.
Former UP chief minister and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav told reporters Tuesday, “This is wrong. It should not have happened. This is a wrong decision… First people from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar were targeted in Maharashtra and now same in happening in Madhya Pradesh. This is unfortunate.”
The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), too, slammed Nath’s decision. According to a senior party leader, the move can “sour the relationship (with the Congress)” and has the potential to impact the grand alliance for 2019.
The Congress is trying to forge an alliance with the SP and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), two key players in UP, for the 2019 LS elections.
Also read: Modi praises Mumbai & its migrants after Kamal Nath talked of job quota for locals