Surat, February 9: Former Union Minister Smriti Irani strongly backed Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, asserting that women MPs in Parliament always receive equal opportunities without any discrimination. Drawing from her decade-long experience in the House, Irani highlighted how Birla ensures every female parliamentarian, regardless of party or state affiliation, gets ample chance to voice their opinions and play an active role in national politics.
Irani shared personal anecdotes, emphasizing that no woman MP has ever been sidelined. ‘The Speaker has consistently encouraged women to contribute boldly,’ she said. Over the past 10 years under Birla’s leadership, she noted a significant rise in women’s participation in parliamentary proceedings.
Praising the government’s commitment to women’s empowerment, Irani pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his administration have prioritized this agenda. Birla’s impartial approach serves as a shining example in this regard. She also stressed the importance of maintaining decorum in the House, recalling how Birla had to intervene during the PM’s thanks speech amid opposition disruptions, handling the situation with remarkable fairness.
Turning to the Union Budget, Irani lauded it as a pro-poor and people-centric document meticulously crafted by the central government. Despite its merits, she lamented the opposition’s relentless criticism. At a discussion in Surat attended by textile professionals, chartered accountants, jewelers, and MSME owners, participants not only applauded the budget but also hailed the Prime Minister’s vision.
Irani concluded that when the public itself endorses leadership, no greater approval is needed for national policies. She criticized the opposition for shunning constructive politics, predicting their prolonged irrelevance.