As Union minister Smriti Irani weathered a political storm on Saturday, as the Congress accused her daughter of operating a “illegal” bar in Goa. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lawmakers appeared guarded.
Smriti denied the claims, claiming that her daughter Zoish is only a college student, and she made a challenge to take the accusers “before the court of law and the people.”
Smriti Irani further rejected the #Congress’ allegation that her daughter ran an illegal bar in Goa. She said the college student was targeted because of her mother’s vocal stand on #RahulGandhi’s “₹5,000-crore loot” in the #NationalHerald case.
A press conference was arranged by the BJP, although several leaders opted to keep quiet. The administration didn’t issue an official statement in response.
Some defended her on Twitter, including Delhi BJP leader Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga. The national president of the BJP Mahila Morcha, Vanathi Srinivasan, also tweeted that the accusations were “completely unacceptable.”
According to BJP sources, the party supported her. Smriti Irani has already “defended” herself, according to a top BJP official, and the party is keeping an eye on the matter. Sunil Deodhar, another leader, just tweeted the BJP press conference that Irani conducted on Saturday from her official residence.
“The documents don’t mention her daughter’s name. Even if she is linked with the restaurant, she has not done anything illegal. There have been cases where the person under whose name the license is taken passes away and then it is transferred. The documents don’t prove anything says the party leader.
“Congress just wants to target her because she is taking on the Gandhis,” he added.
However, within the party, too, some are of the view that the videos and Instagram reports that have emerged — shared by the Congress — should have been taken into account before addressing the media.
