Union minister and Bharatiya Janata Party candidate from Amethi Lok Sabha seat Smriti Irani on Thursday, 11 April, submitted to the Election Commission that she did not complete her graduation from Delhi University.
What Irani’s 2019 Affidavit Says
In her affidavit filed during her nomination, Irani, who is contesting against Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, said she passed secondary school examination in 1991 and senior secondary school examination in 1993.
She has also said she did not complete her Bachelor of Commerce (Part-I) a three-year degree course from Delhi University's School of Open Learning in 1994.
The Stark Differences in the 2014 Affidavit
In her affidavit for 2014 polls, she mentions pursuing Bachelor of Commerce (Part 1) from the university in 1994. This triggered a row over the veracity of her claim, with Opposition parties alleging she was not a graduate.
At a media event in August 2014, Irani claimed that she had a degree from the prestigious Yale University in the US. However, the degree did not find place in any of her affidavits.
But in 2004 it Was BA
However, in the 2004 affidavit comes the bigger discrepancy. Not only does she say that she competed her graduation in 1996, she also claims that she completed a Bachelor of Arts programme.
Irani Holds Assets Worth Rs 4.71 Crore
This year, she has declared assets worth over Rs 4.71 crore.
According to the affidavit, Irani has declared movable property worth over Rs 1.75 crore.
Her immovable assets are worth Rs 2.96 crore, which include an agricultural land valued at over Rs 1.45 crore and a residential building of Rs 1.50 crore.
In the movable category, she had cash in hand till March 31 totalling about Rs 6.24 lakh besides over Rs 89 lakh in bank accounts. She also has over Rs 18 lakh in NSS and postal savings insurance and another Rs 1.05 lakh in other investments.
Irani has vehicles valued at Rs 13.14 lakh and jewellery worth Rs 21 lakh. There is no FIR pending against her and she has not taken any loan.
Her husband Zubin has movable property of more than Rs 1.69 crore and immovable property worth Rs 2.97 crore.
(With inputs from PTI)
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