BJP leader hits out at Ajay Maken for Smriti Irani tweet

RANCHI: Hitting out at Congress leader Ajay Maken for raising the issue of Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani's educational qualification, BJP leader Ramesh Puskar today said the Constitution did not mandate educational qualification for being an MP.

"Our Constitution does not underline educational qualification to contest elections. Ajay Maken's statement against the HRD minister is irrelevant," Puskar said here.

Reacting to Maken's tweet that Irani is not even a graduate but still got the high profile HRD portfolio, Puskar said, "Maken should also refer to how many non-graduate ministers had been given ministerial portfolios in previous Congress governments."

"People don't elect their representatives on the basis of educational qualifications in a democracy. Instead, they see the spirit and commitment of a representative to serve them."

Puskar asked the Congress to respect the people's mandate to NDA. "Wait to see the (BJP) government's performance before airing views," he added.