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Smriti Irani
Union Minister for Women and Child Welfare
Smriti Irani
Smriti Irani, who had been the Minister for Textiles in the latter part of the first term of the Narendra Modi government, was given charge of the Union Women and Child Development ministry in the second term of Modi's Bharatiya janata party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance government.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Irani had emerged as a 'giant killer'. Contesting from the high-profile Amithi seat in Uttar Pradesh, Irani defeated Congress President Rahul Gandhi by a margin of 55120 votes. She polled 49.71 per the votes cast in the constituency, compared with Gandhi's vote share of 43.86 per cent.
Earlier, in the first term of the Modi government, Irani was also the Minister of Information and Broadcasting (from July 18, 2017 to May 14, 2018). And, she had been the Minister of Human Resource Development from May 26, 2014, to July 5, 2016.
In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Irani had emerged as a 'giant killer'. Contesting from the high-profile Amithi seat in Uttar Pradesh, Irani defeated Congress President Rahul Gandhi by a margin of 55120 votes. She polled 49.71 per the votes cast in the constituency, compared with Gandhi's vote share of 43.86 per cent.
Earlier, in the first term of the Modi government, Irani was also the Minister of Information and Broadcasting (from July 18, 2017 to May 14, 2018). And, she had been the Minister of Human Resource Development from May 26, 2014, to July 5, 2016.
A former television actress, Irani joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2003. In 2004, she was made the vice-president of the Maharashtra Youth Wing of the BJP. She rose up the ranks to become a National Secretary in 2010 and a spokesperson for the party in the run-up to the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. In the 2014 general elections, too, Irani had been fielded by the BJP for the Amethi seat against Gandhi. However, she had lost to Gandhi in his family's pocket borough by a margin of 107,923 votes. Later, she had become a member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha from Gujarat.
Also during the Modi's first term in office, a controversy had erupted over Irani's educational qualifications in 2015. She was accused of filing contradictory affidavits regarding the same on two different instances. In one affidavit, she claimed to have completed her graduation, whereas another stated that she was 12th pass. Irani had also claimed that she held a certificate from the Yale University, which later turned out to be a 6-day training programme attended by a group of MPs.
OTHER KEY MINISTERS
Smriti Irani In News
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Govt trying to cut fuel prices, but onus also on state govts: Smriti Irani
Union Minister Smriti Irani on Sunday said the Centre is trying its best to reduce fuel prices and the Rajasthan government ...| February 07, 2021, Sunday -
'Locals' clash with protesters at Singhu border; Cong-BJP in war of words
The day saw police firing tear gas and resorting to baton charge to break up a clash between farmers and a large group of men ...| January 29, 2021, Friday -
Beti Bachao campaign led to improvement in sex ratio at birth: Smriti Irani
The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao movement has made a lasting impression on people, Irani said| January 22, 2021, Friday -
Smriti Irani lauds textiles sector for production of masks, PPE kits
Union Minister Smriti Irani on Saturday lauded the textiles industry for its commendable work in upping production of PPE kits ...| January 09, 2021, Saturday -
'Gupkar gang' hungry for power, deceiving J-K people, says Smriti Irani
The PAGD is a conglomerate of regional and national political parties in Jammu and Kashmir formed to demand the restoration of ...| December 14, 2020, Monday -
Union minister Smriti Irani slams arrest of Republic TV editor Goswami
Union minister Smriti Irani condemned the arrest of journalist Arnab Goswami, saying if those in free press don't stand up in ...| November 04, 2020, Wednesday -
Smriti Irani tests positive for Covid-19; asks people to get tested
Union minister Smriti Irani on Wednesday said she has tested positive for Covid-19.| October 28, 2020, Wednesday -
Rahul taking out yatra in support of middlemen not farmers: Smriti Irani
BJP leader and Union minister Smriti Irani said Rahul Gandhi was taking out his yatras not for farmers but in support of ...| October 07, 2020, Wednesday -
Yogi Adityanath has assured action in Hathras case, says Smriti Irani
Smriti Irani said Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has assured her that "appropriate action" will be taken in the ...| October 05, 2020, Monday -
Rahul Gandhi a 'VIP kisan', sits on sofa on tractor: Smriti Irani
Smriti Irani ridiculed Rahul Gandhi as a "VIP kisan" after photographs showed him sitting on a cushioned seat on a tractor during ...| October 05, 2020, Monday