But is this qualification enough for a discussion on whether Smriti Irani could be a possible chief ministerial face for the BJP in Uttar Pradesh? In a state where caste arithmetic and the symbolism of home-grown leaders matters a great deal, parachuting Smriti Irani may not fit the bill for BJP. The very mention of Smriti Irani as a possible candidate in Modi-Shah duo’s scheme of things also reflects poorly on the state unit. This was no mean achievement, especially for a politician new to Uttar Pradesh, and that too fighting in the Gandhi’s family’s own personal backyard. There is no denying that it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindutva poster boy image that fetched the party 71 out of 80 UP Lok Sabha seats in 2014.

Source: Times of India June 10, 2016 07:48 UTC