Modi faces yet another party revolt

In yet another embarrassment for the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP), television actress Smriti Irani, more popularly known as Tulsi, has demanded the resignation of Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi.

Irani has threatened to launch a fast unto death from December 25, which is the birthday of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, if Modi does not resign by then.

Irani, who is a member of the BJP national executive, was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a diamond jewellery showroom inauguration function, on Sunday.

Irani said, "Wherever there is a mention of Gujarat, people talk only about the post-Godhra communal riots. The people feel that BJP does not have secular credentials. We should be ready for taking any step to resurge and prove once and for all that we are a secular party, which thinks of national interest."

"Narendrabhai should take a high moral ground and resign from his post, which would be in interest of BJP, and help Gujarat and BJP regain their pride and glory, which they genuinely deserve," the actress said.

"I was hurt when Vajpayee said that if there is one blot on his name it is the Gujarat riots. A leader of Vajpayee's stature should not fade away without his name ever being cleared of that blot, and hence I believe that Narendrabhai should accept moral responsibility and give up his post," Irani said.

"If Narendrabhai resigns from the post of the chief minister, it would prove that the BJP is a party with a difference. If he does not, on December 25, which is Vajpayee's birthday, I would go on fast till he gives up the post, a fast unto death," she said.

"This is not an agitation, but an attempt from my side to make the leaders realise their mistake. For me, the BJP is a movement or an ideology, not a political party. Millions of people have worked hard to make BJP what it is today. This step is to maintain the respect, I have for the BJP, and leaders like A B Vajpayee and L K Advani, who have given a lot of the country, without any expectations," Irani added.

She was a star campaigner for the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections. She also contested the elections from the Chandni Chowk constituency in New Delhi, but lost to Congress candidate Kapil Sibal.