Smriti Irani is caught in another controversy and coming on the eve of a cabinet expansion/reshuffle, it could have best been avoided.
National magazine ‘Outlook’ carried a cover story of Smriti Irani saying that she was in serious disfavor with the RSS, BJP and even the people working under her.
The article said that Smriti’s style of functioning as HRD Minister was not at all up to the mark. It also mentioned various instances of her working style.
So while a vice chancellor of a central university is quoted as saying those trying to suggest ideas to Irani could be told "this is not your classroom, this is my ministry", a senior ministry official speaks about how she flung a file at additional secretary-rank official only to apologize later, and promise to 'restore his honor'. However, the official applied for a transfer.
According to the Outlook piece by Saba Naqvi, the BJP has its own problems with the minister.
Senior leaders are unhappy with the manner in which she has been treating senior leadership, including not standing to greet Rajnath Singh, not responding to requests for appointments and making people who do meet her feel "uncomfortable".
Naturally, there was nothing positive in the article about the Union Minister and adds to the growing perception that she might be sacked in the next reshuffle. In eleven months, there have been numerous controversies regarding the Minister.
Among the controversies surrounding Irani are her educational qualifications, the decision to celebrate 'good governance day' instead of Christmas day in CBSE schools, respected nuclear scientist Anil Kakodkar threatening to quit from the board of IIT-B directors and dropping German as a third language in Kendriya Vidyalayas.
Smriti has responded to the article on Twitter by thanking those who stood up for her. “My heartfelt gratitude for all the support against the slanderous statements in a print magazine. Unfortunate publishing standards,” said Smriti on Twitter.
