Patna/New Delhi: Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani and Bihar Education Minister Ashok Choudhary were on Tuesday locked in a bitter war of words on Twitter after the Congress leader addressed her as “dear”.
Issues of etiquette in official communication also cropped up during the barrage of tweets unleashed against each other.
Choudhary in a tweet on Tuesday referred to the Human Resources Development(HRD) minister as “Dear” Smriti Irani ji and said that rather than focus on politics and speeches, she should pay attention to the New Education Policy (NEP).
“Dear .@smritiirani ji, कभी राजनीति और भाषण से वक़्त मिले तो शिक्षा निति की तरफ भी ध्यान दें”
— Dr. Ashok Choudhary (@AshokChoudhaary) June 14, 2016
Irani, who is currently touring Bihar, shot back asking Choudhary that since when did he begin addressing women as “dear”. “Mahilaon ko ‘dear’ keh ke kab se sambodhit karne lage Ashokji?”
Choudhary, who is also the state president of Congress, responded that it was “Not to disrespect but educate… Professional emails start with “dear”.” In his tweet, he asked Irani to answer the real issue and not “circle around it.”
Not to disrespect but educate… Professional emails start with “dear”. @smritiirani Ji Kabhi mudde pe jawab dijiye, don’t circle around it.
— Dr. Ashok Choudhary (@AshokChoudhaary) June 14, 2016
“@AshokChoudhary all my communications to you or any other person start with ‘adarniya’, but since you are now communicating allow me 1/3,” Irani said in another tweet.
The senior BJP leader further told the Bihar minister that his state’s views on education policy had not been provided and “neither did you in your one on one meeting with me give any suggestions”.
She claimed that Bihar is possibly the only state which has not done grassroot consultations for the education policy.
Choudhary, however, launched a counter-attack, tweeting, “@smritiirani ji has learnt a lot from Modiji…Fake promises and shifting blames to others for non-delivery is lesson1 in Sangh’s book.”
He also wanted the minutes of his meeting with Irani to be made public so that “Doodh ka doodh, paani ka paani ho jayega (the truth comes out in the open).”
Irani again fired another tweet, saying “Sir I hope you do find time in your busy schedule to contribute to the education policy. Await state feedback.”
The Bihar minister then responded with a jibe, tweeting “Thx for the high honor, glad to know delivery and non- delivery of NEP is on me. Hope Modiji shares the credit with me too.”
The battle of the ministers did not stop there with Irani asking the Bihar minister to “fill 2 lac teacher vacancies, land for KVs, CU Motihari.”
Choudhary responded, saying “I know how to deliver on my promises. Request you to deliver on what you have promised”.
The war of words erupted on a day when Irani was on a visit to Bhagalpur in connection with “Vikash Parv” observed by BJP-led NDA on completion of two years in the office at the Centre.