Cong accuses Smriti Irani of "falsifying" degree, seeks her disqualification; Irani hits back

The row over Smriti Irani's academic degree was reignited on Friday with the Congress using her poll affidavit to the EC to allege that the Union minister had "falsified records" of her educational qualifications, and demanded her disqualification for submitting "contradictory affidavits".

Irani hit back at the Congress over its allegations, saying she will continue to work hard for Amethi no matter what the opposition party leaders say.

Accusing Irani of being a "serial liar", Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi, at a press conference, also sang the title track of the popular soap opera 'Kyuki saas bhi Kabhi bahu thi' by changing the lyrics to "qualification ke roop badalte hain...(qualification keeps changing)".

Irani, an actor-turned-politician, essayed the lead role in 'Kyuki saas bhi Kabhi bahu thi' (Because a mother-in-law was once a daughter-in-law too), which became very popular.

Congress' sharp attack came a day after the BJP candidate from Amethi Lok Sabha seat submitted to the Election Commission (EC) that she did not complete her graduation from Delhi University.

Irani is contesting against Congress president Rahul Gandhi.

A Congress delegation comprising Ahmed Patel, K C Venugopal, Jairam Ramesh, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Randeep Surjewala and Shaktisinh Gohil, made several representations to the EC, including over Irani's "contradictory affidavits" on her educational qualifications.

The opposition party demanded that she should be disqualified from contesting.

Reacting to Congress' stinging attack, Irani said,"I have a message for them... as much as you try, I will work for Amethi against the Congress. No matter what you say, the more you harass me, the harder I'll work."