Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Aug 17: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla on Monday resigned from all party posts and its primary membership, citing "pressing emergency financial and personal circumstances".
Poonawalla, a prominent face of the ruling party on television news debates, revealed that he had initially submitted his resignation on July 30. However, the BJP leadership refused to accept it at the time and urged him to reconsider his decision.
In his fresh resignation letter addressed to BJP president Nitin Nabin, the 38-year-old leader stated, "But after long and hard contemplation, I have arrived at a final decision that I would like to press for relieving me from my role as national spokesperson and active primary membership of the BJP."
Without taking any names, Poonawalla also hinted at recent internal issues, noting, "The events of the last few days, courtesy certain individuals about whom I have told you in great detail, have forced me to reinforce and stand by my earlier decision."
Despite his exit, Poonawalla expressed his deep gratitude and highest regard for prime minister Narendra Modi, party president Nitin Nabin, and senior leaders including home minister Amit Shah, defence minister Rajnath Singh, and general secretary (organisation) B L Santosh. He thanked the party for the platform and opportunities provided to him over the past five years.
"As stated earlier, due to pressing emergency financial and personal circumstances, I will move into the private sector, but wherever possible and in whatever format possible, I will continue to support the vision and work of prime minister Modi and the BJP. Like I said, I am only leaving the Vyavastha, not the Vyakti or Vichar," he added.
Speculation about his departure began in late July when Poonawalla updated his bio on X (formerly Twitter), removing his title as BJP national spokesperson while retaining the phrase identifying himself as a lifelong follower of prime minister Narendra Modi.
A lawyer by profession and younger brother of political commentator Tehseen Poonawalla, Shehzad began his political journey with the Congress. He gained national attention in 2017 when he publicly challenged the Congress's internal election process, alleging it was rigged in favour of Rahul Gandhi. He subsequently quit the grand old party and later joined the BJP.