Shehzad Poonawala Reportedly Quits BJP, Drops ‘National Spokesperson’ From X Bio

New Delhi, July 31, 2026 Shehzad Poonawala, a prominent BJP voice on television debates, has reportedly quit the party. On Thursday, he changed his X bio, removing “BJP National Spokesperson” while retaining “Lifelong follower of Prime Minister Narendra Modi”. His updated bio reads: “Religion: Islam, Culture: Hindu, ideology: Bhartiya, Author: GST ki Yatra; Lifelong follower of PM Narendra Modi”. A lawyer by training, Poonawala began his political career with the Congress and gained prominence in 2017 after publicly challenging the party’s internal election process. He alleged that the process was rigged in favour of Rahul Gandhi to elevate him as Congress president. After leaving the Congress, he joined the BJP and was appointed its national spokesperson. Poonawala had recently shared a clip from an earlier television interview in which he said it was time for him to move on from active politics. He is the younger brother of political commentator Tehseen Poonawala. The two had a public fallout after Shehzad left the Congress and began criticising the party and its leadership during television debates. They have since frequently appeared on opposite sides of live political discussions. Neither the BJP nor Poonawala has officially confirmed the reasons for his reported resignation, apart from references to “personal reasons”. An official statement is expected to clarify the circumstances surrounding his departure and what lies ahead for him politically.