Kuchh toh log kahenge: Smriti Irani to critics

New Delhi, Jul 6: 'People will say things, because they have to say something' -- This was Smriti Irani's retort to critics quoting from a popular Hindi song of 1970s. Irani today assumed charge as the Textiles Minister after being shunted out from HRD Ministry, where her two-year tenure was marked with controversies.

While many critics felt the shift was due to the controversies that surrounded her tenure, a few also felt it could be aimed at giving her more time to focus on the next year's assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh.

Asked for her comments, she quoted a line from a popular Hindi song: "Kuchh toh log kahenge, logon ka kaam hai kehna" (people are bound to say things because they have to say something).

Irani had a successful stint as a TV actress before taking plunge into politics and fought unsuccessfully against Rahul Gandhi from Amethi in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. In a move that had surprised many in the political circles at that time, Irani was assigned the HRD portfolio after the BJP-led NDA came to power in May 2014.

PTI