Who Is Shehzad Poonawalla? BJP Spokesperson Resigns After Nearly 2 Decades in Politics
Shehzad Poonawalla, BJP national spokesperson and a familiar face in political debates, has resigned from the party citing personal reasons. From beginning his career with the Congress to becoming a prominent BJP voice after his 2017 rebellion against Rahul Gandhi’s elevation, Poonawalla’s political journey has spanned nearly two decades. (376 characters)
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla has resigned from the party, according to sources. The 39-year-old is said to have submitted his resignation to the BJP leadership, citing personal reasons. An official announcement is expected shortly. Known for his sharp debating style and strong defence of the Narendra Modi government, Poonawalla has been one of the BJP’s most recognisable television panellists and social media voices in recent years.
Reports of his resignation come after Poonawalla reshared an earlier interview in which he spoke about stepping away from active politics. His X bio now describes him as a "lifelong follower" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi but no longer mentions the BJP, while his Instagram profile continues to identify him as the party’s National Spokesperson. Shehzad Poonawalla Resigns From BJP: What We Know So Far.
Who Is Shehzad Poonawalla?
Shehzad Poonawalla is a lawyer, civil rights activist and politician who rose to prominence after challenging the Congress leadership in 2017 over its internal presidential election process.
Born on October 17, 1986, in Pune, Maharashtra, Poonawalla began his political career with the Indian National Congress in 2008. He held positions including Vice-President of the National Students' Union of India (NSUI) in Pune and served with the Maharashtra Congress. ‘Youth More Important Than Any Position’: Amit Shah Reacts After Dharmendra Pradhan’s Resignation.
His political career changed direction after he publicly alleged that the Congress presidential election was "rigged" to favour Rahul Gandhi’s elevation as party president. The controversy led to his exit from the party.
Poonawalla later joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and became one of its national spokespersons. He gained recognition as a regular television debate panelist, defending the party’s policies and criticising opposition parties.
A trained lawyer, Poonawalla has also worked on constitutional and legal issues. He was involved as a petitioner in the 2013 National Commission for Minorities housing discrimination case and has written opinion pieces on politics, governance and public affairs.
Over the years, he has been known for his strong support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his participation in debates on issues including national security, minority affairs, the Uniform Civil Code, government schemes and political reforms.
Why Is Shehzad Poonawalla Leaving Politics?
A day before reports of his resignation emerged, Poonawalla shared an earlier interview in which he discussed his political journey and his thoughts about moving away from active politics. "I've been engaged in active politics for approximately 18-19 years. I started at such a young age and have now reached where I aspired to be," he said.
Poonawalla said that after Prime Minister Narendra Modi secured a third consecutive term in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he had initially planned to leave politics. However, he continued working for the BJP during important Assembly elections, including those in Delhi, Maharashtra and West Bengal. He added that he now believes the time has come to move on from active political life.
Family Background and Political Identity
Poonawalla was raised by his mother Yasmin Poonawalla after losing his father, businessman Sarfraz Poonawalla, at a young age. His elder brother, Tehseen Poonawalla, is a political commentator known for supporting the Congress. The two brothers became publicly estranged after Shehzad Poonawalla’s 2017 criticism of the Congress leadership.
Within the BJP, Poonawalla established himself as one of the party’s prominent English-language spokespersons. He regularly debated issues including dynastic politics, minority affairs, national security, the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), the abolition of Triple Talaq, government welfare schemes and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 31, 2026 12:12 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).