Smriti Irani affidavit says she’s not a graduate, contradicting her 2014 one

The Congress on Friday accused Smriti Irani of falsifying her educational records and called for her disqualification.

Union minister Smriti Irani had submitted that she was a graduate in her 2014 affidavit, which she contradicted this week | Praveen Jain/ThePrint.in

Amethi: Union minister and BJP candidate from Amethi Lok Sabha seat Smriti Irani Thursday submitted to the Election Commission that she did not complete her graduation from Delhi University.

In her affidavit filed during her nomination, Irani, who is contesting against Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, said she passed secondary school examination in 1991 and senior secondary school examination in 1993.

She has said she did not complete her Bachelor of Commerce (Part-I) a three-year degree course from Delhi University’s School of Open Learning in 1994.

In her affidavit for 2014 polls, she had reportedly said she graduated from the university in 1994, triggering a row over the veracity of her claim, with opposition parties alleging she was not a graduate.

This year, she has declared assets worth over Rs 4.71 crore.

According to the affidavit, Irani has declared movable property worth over Rs 1.75 crore.

Opposition’s accusations of ‘falsifying’ educational records

Dubbing Irani a “serial liar”, the Congress on Friday alleged that she has “falsified records” of her educational qualifications and submitted contradictory affidavits to the Election Commission for which she should be disqualified.

Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi also accused Irani of misusing her influence and power as a Union minister.

“Union Minister Smriti Irani, who had been rubbishing Opposition’s claim that she is not a graduate, yesterday accepted that she enrolled for an undergraduate course in Delhi University but did not complete it,” Chaturvedi said.

She should step down and also be disqualified from contesting the polls, Chaturvedi said.

“We have no issue with the fact that Smriti Irani is not a graduate. The issue here is that she has lied repeatedly on oath and to the courts. People of India will see through these lies and give a befitting political reply to a ‘serial liar’!” Chaturvedi said.

“It is clear that she has not only “falsified records” of her degrees but has submitted contradictory affidavits to the EC for which she is guilty of offence under Section 125A read with Section 33 of the Representation of Peoples Act,” she said.

There was no immediate reaction from the BJP over the issue.