Smriti Irani takes charge, says new role shows PM’s faith

A day after losing the coveted HRD portfolio, Smriti Irani assumed charge of the textiles ministry and declared she enjoyed the “faith” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She said her new assignment signified the “faith” shown by the PM and the party in her capacity to perform.

She sidestepped questions on BJP president Amit Shah reportedly being behind her shift, and said “it is not individuals but the party that takes such decisions”.

“I am happy I have been given an opportunity, specially when a special package (of Rs 6,000 crores for apparel) has been announced. This signifies my party and the PM have faith,” she said. Ms Irani said she hoped the new national textile policy “will soon see the light of day”.

Earlier on Wednesday, she tweeted on her HRD tenure, marred by controversies: “In last 2 years, all initiatives of HRD ministry have been towards increasing learning outcomes for students and improving quality of education. I thank officials from the ministry for the consistent support in realising the PM’s vision of ensuring quality education for all.”

About her new portfolio, she vowed to strengthen textile and apparel sectors and said her efforts will be directed towards skill development.

Highlighting the significance of her new portfolio, Ms Irani said she was “grateful” that Prime Minister had given her an opportunity to work for the textile sector, which is the largest employer in the country after agriculture and predominantly engages with women.

Popular film song comes to rescue
‘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 on Wednesday assumed charge as the Textiles Minister after being shunted out from HRD Ministry, where her two-year tenure was marred by controversies.

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 the plunge into politics and fought unsuccessfully against Rahul Gandhi from Amethi in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. In a move that had surprised many, she was assigned the HRD portfolio after the NDA came to power in May 2014.

Ms Irani preferred to sidestep questions on controversies surrounding her tenure in the Human Resource Development Ministry and said: “I feel your (media's) heavy presence here at the Textiles Ministry shows that you and I will continue to be together.”