Qualification row: Smriti may be silent, but BJP targets Sonia's credentials

New Delhi, May 28: Even though

chooses to maintain silence on

's qualification jibe, the

is not taking the remark with bowed heads. Maken, yesterday had targeted the new HRD minister Smriti Irani asking how could a 12th class pass-out head a ministry that required experience in the field.

The BJP, however, has hit back at the Congress. Mos textiles Santosh Gangwar said,"I would like to ask what is Sonia Gandhi's educational qualification."

Ajay Maken on Tuesday had said,"What a Cabinet of Modi? HRD Minister (looking after education) Smriti Irani is not even a graduate! Look at her affidavit at the ECI site- page 11! (sic)."

NCP leader Tariq Anwar said,"If they had made her in charge of a state ministry it would have been fine. But this department needs experience and the government doesn't seem to be taking it seriously."

Unlike her biodata in Rajya Sabha (which stated her latest education qualification as "Educated at Holy Child Auxilium, Delhi and School of Correspondence and Continuing Education, University of Delhi"), the affidavit before the Election Commission states her last education as Bachelor of Commerce Part-1, School of Open Learning (Correspondence), University of Delhi-1994.

BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad, came in Smriti's defence saying,"People have seen Smriti Irani in Parliament. They have seen her leadership. The PM has given her the responsibility because of her merit. If a such a comment has come from the Congress then it is very unfortunate and I think the Congress should introspect before giving such comments."

Water resources minister Uma Bharti also reacted on Maken's comments [Read]

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