Surat: In a surprise attack on Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi for the post-Godhra riots, BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) leader and popular TV actress Smriti Irani today (Dec 12, 2004) asked him to step down failing which she threatened to go on fast on to death from Dec 25, 2004 the birthday of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Terming Modi's decision not to step down as "extremely shocking and appalling", she told reporters in Surat, "It is high time that Gujarat and Vajpayee got their pride and glory back which they genuinely deserved to prove once and for all that we are a secular party, which thinks in the national interest, any step taken in that direction should be welcomed.

She said she was hurt when she heard Vajpayee say, "If there is one blot on my name it is Narendra Modi. I was very surprised that he did not give up his chair after such a statement."

"There is nothing wrong in correcting our mistakes", she said and went on to add, "A leader like Vajpayee should not fade away without his name ever being cleared of that blot".

Irani, who is also BJP National Executive member, said, "If Narendrabhai gives up the post of the Chief Minister of Gujarat, it would prove that BJP is a party with a difference.

"If he does not, then on 25th of December, which is Atalji's birthday, I would like to go on fast till he gives up the post, a fast on to death", she said.