BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla has again asked the party to accept his resignation from all organisational positions and primary membership, weeks after his first resignation request was turned down.
Poonawalla had offered to step down on July 30. The party had asked him to reconsider the decision, but in a fresh letter shared on Monday, he said he had made up his mind to leave.
“It was extremely touching and I am indeed grateful that the party refused to accept my resignation letter immediately and requested me to reconsider the decision," he said.
He added, “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,”
Why Poonawalla wants to leave BJP
Poonawalla has cited financial and personal circumstances behind his decision, saying he needs to move to the private sector.
His latest statement also referred to developments involving certain individuals within the party. He said, "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 seeking an exit, Poonawalla expressed his appreciation for the BJP’s senior leadership. In his resignation letter, he conveyed “gratefulness, love, affection and highest regard” for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Nitin Nabin and senior leaders Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh and B L Santosh.
Poonawalla had removed BJP from X bio
The resignation bid follows a change Poonawalla made to his X profile earlier in July. His bio no longer mentioned the BJP.
His current profile describes him as: "Religion, Islam, Culture, Hindu, ideology-Bhartiya, Author: GST ki Yatra; Lifelong follower of PM Narendra Modi".
Poonawalla joined the BJP in 2017 after leaving the Congress following a disagreement over the process for electing the party president. He was subsequently appointed as the BJP’s national spokesperson.
Longtime Modi supporter
During his years with the BJP, Poonawalla has been a vocal supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and has frequently targeted the Congress and its leaders.
He has also regularly criticised Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on political issues.
His latest request now puts the decision on his resignation back with the BJP, after the party had earlier declined to accept his request and asked him to reconsider.