Migrant comment row: Nath says other states have similar policies; Complaint lodged in Bihar court

Amid a controversy over his comments linking job deprivation of his state's youth to influx of workers from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath on Wednesday said other states including Gujarat also have policies favouring employment to locals, even as a complaint was filed against him in a Bihar court.

Some BJP MPs also raised the issue in Parliament, accusing Madhya Pradesh's new chief minister of inciting hatred against people of other states.

"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)," Nath had said on Monday announcing a new state government policy under which industries availing investment incentives will need to give 70 per cent employment to local youths.

The remarks, made by Nath soon after he was sworn in, had drawn all-round criticism, with parties like the BJP, RJD and JD(U) expressing their disapproval.

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