Oh Dear, Smriti Irani And Bihar's Education Minister Spar On Twitter

New Delhi: Union education minister Smriti Irani engaged in a wordy duel on twitter with Bihar's education minister, Ashok Choudhary of the Congress. It began with Ms Irani taking umbrage at Mr Choudhary addressing her as "Dear Smriti Iraniji". And ended with a climbdown by the Congressmen.

Speaking in Patna on Tuesday afternoon, Mr Chowdhary said if Ms Irani found anything objectionable in his address, he has no hesitation in tendering an apology.

Mr Chowdhary had this morning tweeted Ms Irani, who is on a two-day visit to Bihar.  
 

Dear @smritiirani ji, when will we get New Education policy..?
When will year 2015 end in your calendar..? https://t.co/X20LhUsvCt

- Dr. Ashok Choudhary (@AshokChoudhaary) June 14, 2016

The minister responded with:
 

@AshokChoudhaary mahilaon ko 'dear' keh ke kab se sambodhit karne lage Ashokji ?

- Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) June 14, 2016

There on, it became a full-blown spat.
 

Not to disrespect but educate... Professional emails start with "dear". @smritiirani Ji Kabhi mudde pe jawab dijiye, don't circle around it.

- Dr. Ashok Choudhary (@AshokChoudhaary) June 14, 2016

 

@AshokChoudhaary all my communications to you or any other person start with 'adarniya' but since you are now communicating allow me 1/3

- Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) June 14, 2016

 

@AshokChoudhaary Bihar is possibly the only state which has not done grass root consultations for the education policy 2/3

- Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) June 14, 2016

 

@AshokChoudhaary have not received state views on education policy neither did you in your 1 on 1 meeting with me give any suggestions 3/3

- Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) June 14, 2016

 

"@smritiirani ji has learnt a lot from Modiji...Fake promises and shifting blames to others for non-delivery is lesson1 in Sangh's book"

- Dr. Ashok Choudhary (@AshokChoudhaary) June 14, 2016

Later in the evening, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav weighed in with a tweet.

Just asking out of curiosity is "Dear" an offensive word or it becomes wen a minister frm dalit community calls so? https://t.co/xY2tBw9C5m

- Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) June 14, 2016

Ms Irani is no stranger to duels on twitter. In earlier tweet battles, her opponents have included Congress spokesperson Priyanka Chaturvedi.

The Union HRD minister is in Bihar where she is addressing a function related to two years of the Narendra Modi government.