A day after losing the coveted HRD portfolio, Smriti Irani assumed charge of the textiles ministry and declared she enjoyed the “faith” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
A day after losing the coveted HRD portfolio, Smriti Irani assumed charge of the textiles ministry and declared she enjoyed the “faith” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
She told reporters her new assignment signified the “faith” shown by the PM and the party in her capacity to perform. She sidestepped questions on BJP president Amit Shah reportedly being behind her shift, and said “it is not individuals but the party that takes such decisions”.
She quouted a popular Hindi song Kuchh toh log kahenge logon ka kaam hai kehna (People are bound to say things because it’s their job to say something)” when asked if the move was to give her more time to focus on next year’s UP Assembly elections. “I am happy I have been given an opportunity, specially when a special package (of Rs 6,000 crores for apparel) has been announced. This signifies my party and the PM have faith,” she said.
Ms Irani said she hoped the much-awaited new national textile policy “will soon see the light of day”. Earlier Wednesday, she tweeted on her HRD tenure, marred by controversies: “In last 2 years, all initiatives of HRD ministry have been towards increasing learning outcomes for students and improving quality of education. I thank officials from the ministry for the consistent support in realising the PM’s vision of ensuring quality education for all.”
