Kamal Nath defends migrant comment, says nothing new in having job preference policy for locals

At the centre of a controversy over his remarks insinuating that youths in his state were losing out on jobs to migrants from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath Wednesday said other states including Gujarat also have policies giving employment preference to locals.

The 'job deprivation' remarks made by Nath soon after taking oath on Monday had drawn all-round criticism, with parties like the BJP, RJD and JD(U) expressing their disapproval.

Defending his comments, Nath told reporters here on Wednesday, "Such policy exists in other states also. Is it not there in Gujarat? What is new in it?"