Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan did a Raj Thackeray when he said jobs in the state would not be allowed to be taken away by Biharis but backtracked after leaders from Bihar roundly condemned the controversial remark.

"Locals should be given preference in employment in the industries being set up in the state.. It should not happen that people should come from outside...Bihar and get the jobs here," Chouhan said fuelling a political row over the remark seen as unusual for his style of functioning.

Chouhan's remark while addressing a function at Satna, about 500 km from here, yesterday came in for attack from Congress, RJD and LJP with former chief minister Lalu Yadav and ally Ram Vilas Paswan leading the charge against the BJP leader.

Sensing the unease in Bihar, Chouhan clarified he was not against people from other states coming to Madhya Pradesh.

"I heartily welcome people coming (to MP) from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, South India, Punjab or from any other state," he said in Indore.

Chouhan said what he meant was that locals are sometimes not skilled workers and therefore must be given training by employers so that the people of the land should get a livelihood. "I made the comments in this context," he said.

Lalu termed the remarks as unconstitutional and called him "unstable". He demanded that Chouhan tender an apology.

LJP leader Ram Vilas Paswan said, "The statement made by Chouhan is unfortunate... A person holding a top constitutional post should not react in this manner... He should resign immediately."

"The statement is condemnable. The Constitution is very clear, any citizen has the right to settle anywhere in the country and can work. No government in the country or any individual is above the Constitution. If any Chief Minister or government gives such statement, it is condemnable," Congress party spokesperson Manish Tewari told reporters.

MPCC president Suresh Pachouri called the remarks unconstitutional and said all are welcome to serve in the state and it is not proper for a person occupying a constitutional post to make such a statement.

K K Mishra, Congress spokesman in MP, said it seemed that the "spirit of Raj Thackeray" has entered the chief minister.

CPI National Secretary D Raja criticised Chouhan for his statement and said the "BJP leadership owes an explanation to the people and Parliament whether they agree with the statement made by the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister".

He said Indian people have the right to live and work any where in the country.

Raja also said there is no difference between Raj Thackeray and the Chief Minister.

MNS chief Raj Thackeray had spearheaded a campaign against North Indians in Maharashtra while pitching for "sons of the soil" policy inviting criticism.