BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla has resigned from all party positions and relinquished his primary membership, citing "pressing" financial and personal circumstances. In an interview with NDTV after quitting the party, Poonawalla said political parties do not pay salaries to spokespersons or karyakartas , leaving him struggling to meet personal expenses, including rent.
Poonawalla, who became a BJP member in 2021 after leaving the Congress, said his decision was not about expecting the party to financially support him. Instead, he maintained that his association with the BJP had always been ideological rather than employment-related.
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‘I need to pay my rent’
Explaining the financial difficulties he faced, Poonawalla said, "I need to pay my rent. My landlord is not going to give me free rent because I'm from the BJP. He's asking me for rent on the 1st. Political parties don't pay karyakartas (workers)."
He added that he never believed it was the BJP's responsibility to financially sustain him or any other party worker.
"The BJP's job is not to sustain me or any other karyakarta . See, when you join a political movement, this is not a job. You become a karyakarta because of the love for the vichar dhara (ideology), or the love for the vyakti (person), or the love for the sangathan (organisation), etc. All those three things are still there with me."
Poonawalla said financial pressure was the principal reason behind his exit and described himself as a first-generation politician without the family or political networks that he said many established politicians have.
Poonawalla says resignation was considered since 2024
Poonawalla rejected the suggestion that his resignation was an abrupt decision. He said he had been considering leaving since 2024 and that BJP leadership had contacted him after he indicated a few weeks ago that he wanted to step away. His resignation letter was first submitted on July 30 but was not accepted at that time, with the party asking him to reconsider.
He said the leadership had made efforts to understand his difficulties and explore ways to support him, but he ultimately chose to leave.
"Whoever needed to reach out to me already reached out to me on the 30th of July. And much before that, when I communicated that these are the challenges I'm facing, they in fact went out of their way to work out or see how I could be taken care of. But honestly, my conscience doesn't allow me. The BJP is not my employment opportunity. The BJP is my ideological opportunity. And to commit to the BJP's ideology or Modiji's vision, I don't need to be in a position in the BJP."
Rejects speculation over BJP exit
Poonawalla also dismissed social media speculation linking his departure to various alleged developments, including a purported "sting operation" video. He said he was hearing about such a video for the first time and denied the claims circulating online.
"I don't pursue these things. Whoever is spreading this is not making it salacious enough."
His resignation letter referred to "the events of the last few days, courtesy certain individuals", but did not name anyone or provide details. Asked about that reference by NDTV, Poonawalla said workplace disagreements are part of organisational life, particularly in political and media organisations.
He also said there were people who wanted to see him fail, while declining to identify specific individuals.
"That's how public life works... People wanting to pull you down."
Poonawalla defends middle-class tax demand
The former BJP spokesperson also addressed criticism surrounding his recent call for tax relief for salaried middle-class Indians. In an August 16 post, he wrote:
"Middle class earns.
Middle class pays.
But what does the middle class get back? 🤔
Bad roads.
Air pollution.
Toxic water.
Corruption.
Time to AXE THE PERSONAL INCOME TAX for Salaried Middle Class till we get WORLD CLASS FACILITIES."
Responding to questions about why he had not raised such concerns while in the ruling party, Poonawalla said his remarks were not directed at the Centre or any particular political organisation and that he was speaking as a nagrik , or citizen.
He pointed to his book on GST rationalisation and said the central government had contributed to lowering the average tax rate, while noting that taxes, tolls and cesses are also imposed by state governments.
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Poonawalla rules out returning to Congress
Poonawalla also ruled out returning to the Congress under its current leadership. Asked about the possibility, he said he would join the party only if Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were removed and there was an apology for Jawaharlal Nehru's actions.
Despite leaving the BJP, Poonawalla said he remained committed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision.
"I'm not a bhavishya vakta (future teller) like Rahul Gandhi, but all I can say in the present moment is that there is no greater leader this country has had, or will have, than Prime Minister Modi. And having served as the national spokesperson of the world's largest democratic party, do you think I'm going to settle for some other party? The BJP is the best party that India has at this moment."
