The Hindu : National : Shivraj backtracks on remarks after condemnations from Lalu, Nitish

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Shivraj backtracks on remarks after condemnations from Lalu, Nitish

Mahim Pratap Singh

His remarks have been slammed as being ethno-centric and parochial

— Photo: Ranjeet Kumar

VENTING THEIR IRE: Lok Janshakti Party activists demonstrating in Patna on Saturday against Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan for his anti-Bihari remarks.

BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan has drawn flak for allegedly saying “outsiders”, particularly Biharis, are not welcome in the State.

The Chief Minister, speaking at a “Gharib Utthan” (poverty upliftment) rally in Satna, reportedly made ethno-centric remarks saying employment opportunities, government as well as private, in the State are for locals only and not outsiders like Biharis.

According to political observers here, the statements need to be seen in the wake of the Madhya Pradesh Foundation Day, celebrations for which went on for a week concluding Saturday.

Mr. Chauhan and other Bharatiya Janata Party leaders have been emphasising the need to build up a strong Madhya Pradesh identity such as Gujarat’s and Maharashtra’s.

Before the Chief Minister’s public relations department could initiate damage control, Mr. Chauhan had already received livid reactions from Rashtriya Janata Dal’s Lalu Prasad Yadav and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, with the latter condemning his remarks as anti-Constitutional in a letter saying “every Indian has the fundamental right to seek employment anywhere in the country”.

This made the Chief Minister backtrack on his statements saying he meant at least 50 per cent jobs should be given on a priority basis to Madhya Pradesh locals.

The Chief Minister’s remarks have been criticised as being ethno-centric and opponents, including the Congress, have said that the BJP is towing the Shiv Sena line by using the anti-outsider rhetoric.

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