Television's favourite 'bahu', Smriti Z Iraani, who has been fielded by the Bharatiya Janata Party from the Chandni Chowk parliamentary constituency in Delhi, on Monday lambasted her detractors for labelling her an 'outsider'.
"I was born in Delhi and spent 22 years of my life here, so where is the question of my being an outsider," the 28-year-old, who plays the role of 'Tulsi' in serial Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, told reporters at a press conference.
Currently based in Mumbai, Iraani promised to shift permanently to Delhi if elected to the Lok Sabha.
"I will move permanently to Delhi after I am elected and will be among the most regular attenders of Parliament," she said.
Iraani, who joined BJP a few months back and was made its Maharashtra youth wing vice President, said she felt 'proud' that the party had considered her capable of taking on Congress stalwart and noted lawyer Kapil Sibal.
"It was a moment of pride for me when I was informed that I had been given the ticket," she said.
Iraani said her star image would not prove to be a burden and instead give her an advantage over her rivals. "I am hardworking and sincere and since I speak with conviction, people will definitely believe me," she said and added that youth would be the focus of her campaign.
Iraani said she would give priority to the problem of congestion in Chandni Chowk if elected. "I will get residents and traders to sit together and the solutions they come up with will be binding on bureaucrats."
Union minister Vijay Goel, who won from Chandni Chowk in 1998 and 1999 and will be contesting from Delhi Sadar this time, was present at the press conference.