Smriti Irani refutes Oppn's allegations of daughter running illegal biz in Goa

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 23

Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani today rejected the allegations that her 18-year-old daughter ran an illegal bar in Goa and dared the Congress to face her in the “court of law and people”.

Hours after Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and Pawan Khera demanded Irani’s resignation, citing a “showcause notice to the bar being illegally run by her daughter in Goa”, the minister told the media that “the Congress today assassinated and publicly attacked my daughter’s character”.

She dared Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to contest from Amethi again in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and said “I promise he will lose again”.

Irani, who defeated Rahul in the 2019 General Election, said her daughter’s fault was that her mother held a press conference on the “loot carried out by the Gandhis”.

“Her fault is that her mother fought against Rahul Gandhi in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections,” said the Union Minister.

She questioned a purported showcause notice the Congress cited today and said, “Jairam Ramesh said he is taking a position based on an RTI application. Where did it mention my daughter’s name? The allegation that my daughter runs an illegal bar is malicious, with the intent not only to assassinate her character, but also to politically malign me.”

Licensee died in ’21

The Congress has claimed the licence issued to Smriti Irani’s daughter is in the name of a person, who died in May 2021. “The licence was taken in June 2022 in Goa. But the person in whose name the licence was taken died 13 months ago,” the party said.

Lawyer’s rebuttal

The lawyer for Smriti Irani’s daughter has said my client is neither an owner nor operating a restaurant in Goa. “She has not received any notice. Vested interests are running malicious social media posts to settle political scores with my client’s mother,” he said.

About The Author

Tribune News Service

The Tribune News Service brings you the latest news, analysis and insights from the region, India and around the world. Follow the Tribune News Service for a wide-ranging coverage of events as they unfold, with perspective and clarity.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.

#jairam ramesh #smriti irani