After yesterday's news on Smriti Irani allegedly spotting a camera at Fabindia's changing room in BJP led Goa, Meenakshi Lekhi, a fellow BJP MP apparently lambasted calling the issue raised by her as 'inane'. She smelled a rat in the whole controversy that "obfuscated the National Executive". She also believes that media should have covered the 'BJP National executive' in a big way against the 'cam in the dressing room' news which concerns all of us as this can happen to just anyone. The issue obviously got the media highlight since Ms Smriti Zubin Irani is considered as one of the most 'important' member of the cabinet.
The camera was installed to prevent shop lifting, claims the Fab India management. The FIR says that it was a CCTV camera, not a spy cam and was installed in the hall but purposely focused towards trial room. The matter needs a high level stringent probe as it has been raised by the Union Minister herself and there can be no compromise as far the security of women is concerned.
That said, I for once agree with Meenakshi Lekhi that the Irani news has "obfuscated the National Executive". Even a high pitch speech by the PM couldn't draw the focus back to Bengaluru. So is Lekhi trying to say that HRD minister, Irani did this intentionally? I feel pity if a woman leader of such a high stature as Meenakshi Lekhi feels that Smriti Irani could have done this intentionally. Or am I wrong?
A friend too pointed out, wasn't Smriti Irani supposed to be in the meeting in Bengaluru? Well, I thought maybe she took a few hours breather and flew down to Goa. Like, "Bengaluru tak aye hain, Goa bhi jaa aate hain" - but then that's 'so middle class' as some would say for a senior minister like Irani. I recall, she was dropped from BJP's National Executive only a few weeks ago and that's why she is not needed in the meeting. Does that mean Irani is fuming because of the same as she has been kept away even when she is considered close to the PM? Ah! I think people are reading too much.
The news channels are reporting that very soon the BJP government plans a cabinet re-shuffle and there are speculations of HRD minister losing her berth as she has been the focus of most controversies of Modi government and RSS is least pleased with all of it. Is that why BJP leaders are coming out and speaking openly against her? Is that why Irani obfuscated the coverage of National Executive meeting purposely, as suggested by Meenakshi Lekhi?
There are strong arguments doing rounds against Smriti Irani. Like, why someone from Delhi holidaying in Goa would go & shop at Fab India? Who does that? Was she shopping in the area and Fab India happened to be one of the stores she visited? Or is it that she just went to Fab India and straightaway spotted the camera? Since she spotted the camera, why she herself didn't file the complaint? Why she made an MLA the complainant? No one has the answers! Then, the questions raised by Lekhi only adds fuel to the fire leaving everyone curios, and all complicated. Also, Lekhi's open criticism, reaction or 'allegation' we may call it, vindicates those who used to say that Lekhi wasn't happy with Irani's elevation as the HRD minister despite she losing the Lok Sabha elections.
Some also believe that there is some sort of misunderstanding or some would say differences within the BJP on the role of Smriti Irani. So is BJP a divided house over two women in the party, one who feels the issue of her fellow minister who takes her own and women security seriously, is an 'inane' issue?
I wouldn't know if Meenakshi Lekhi is right in insinuating that Irani fabricated the issue just to fog the attention around BJP's national executive meeting, sending a weighted message across to the PM or something of the sort. However, yes, we must take women security seriously and it is rightly been pitched by Smriti Irani. Why should anyone questioning her timing? Or shall we?
Also, it is now for the BJP to figure out has more potential to take the steam out of its National Executive. Is it Giriraj Singh, Smriti Irani or Meenakshi Lekhi?
@GauravPandhi
(DISCLAIMER - The views expressed in the article are the author's personal opinion and not that of CNN-IBN/IBNLIVE)
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