Oh dear! Smriti Irani and Bihar minister in a Twitter spat

A Twitter spat between Bihar education minister Ashok Choudhary and Union human resource development minister Smriti Z Irani was trending on Tuesday, with several other social media users jumping into the arena.

A Twitter spat between Bihar education minister Ashok Choudhary and Union human resource development minister Smriti Z Irani was trending on Tuesday, with several other social media users jumping into the arena.

Union human resource development Smriti Irani(Sonu Mehta/HT Photo)

It all started with Choudhary reminding Irani about the new education policy, which was scheduled to be announced by 2015 end.

“Dear @smritiirani ji, when will we get new education policy..? When will year 2015 end in your calendar..? If you get time from politics and speeches, do pay attention to education policy also,” Choudhary tweeted.

This invited an immediate retort from Irani: “@AshokChoudhary mahilaon ko ‘dear’ keh ke kab se sambodhit karne lage Ashokji ? (When did you start addressing women as dear?).”

Choudhary replied: “Not to disrespect but educate... Professional emails start with “dear”. @smritiirani Ji Kabhi mudde pe jawab dijiye, don’t circle around it.”

This was enough to trigger a torrent of tweets from users, with some even posting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s October 1, 2015, tweet: “Dear @ashabhosletai…”

The Twitter users were clearly divided, with some even raking up the Bihar toppers’ scam, even as the two ministers continued their war of words on twitter.

Soon after, a blame-game started, as Choudhary tweeted: “Seems @smritiirani Ji isn’t aware her ministry’s website mentions consultation with eastern zone including Bihar.”

“@AshokChoudhary would you rather say Sir that I don’t consult Bihar, if that is your stand then I shall comply though with a sense of regret,” Irani replied.

This drew another response from Choudhary: “@smritiirani Ji has learnt a lot from Modiji...Fake promises and shifting blames to others for non-delivery is lesson1 in Sangh’s book.”

Irani tweeted again: “@AshokChoudhary Bihar is possibly the only state which has not done grass root consultations for the education policy. We invited Sir neither minister nor secretary education turned up. Entire proceedings were videographed. Plz. I hope you do find time in your busy schedule to contribute to the education policy. Await state feedback... Have not received state views on education policy neither did you in your 1 on 1 meeting with me give any suggestions.”

Choudhary replied: “@smritiirani Ji Request you to make public Minutes of our one-on-one meeting..... Doodh ka doodh, paani ka paani ho jayega.

Irani replied: “@AshokChoudhary Sir ill make it public now - requested you to fill 2 lac teacher vacancies, land for KVs, CU Motihari.”

Choudhary hit back: “I know how to deliver on my promises. Request you to deliver on what you have promised”.