‘Modi absolutely wrong’: Shehzad Poonawalla’s fresh attack after quitting BJP

Shehzad Poonawalla, who recently resigned from all organisational posts in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), stepped up his attack on the Congress and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday.

Sharing a compilation of his media interactions, Poonawalla said he would remain “forever indebted” to former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi for giving India Rahul Gandhi, whom he credited with helping Prime Minister Narendra Modi win the 2014, 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

“Forever indebted to Shri Rajiv Gandhi ji. He gave us @RahulGandhi who ensured PM @narendramodi became PM in 2014,19,24 and will become PM again in 2029,” Poonawalla posted on X.

In another post, Poonawalla appeared to issue a warning to Rahul Gandhi, writing, “No filter now – @RahulGandhi be ready.”

He was responding to a post by Jaipur Dialogues featuring an interview with him, in which Poonawalla recalled being advised during his time in the BJP to maintain a polite tone while addressing opposition leaders.

Poonawalla also targeted the Congress over the controversy surrounding Prime Minister Modi’s “dimagi Naxal” remark in his Independence Day speech. Sharing a clip of a television interview with former Congress spokesperson Sanjay Jha, he said Modi was “absolutely wrong” to describe certain people as “dimagi Naxal”.

“They should have been called बददिमाग [brainless] Naxal,” he added.

In his latest post, Poonawalla took another swipe at Rahul Gandhi, writing: “Rahul Gandhi was a Pappu, Rahul Gandhi is a Pappu. Rahul Gandhi will forever remain a Pappu.”

The remarks came days after Poonawalla announced his resignation from all BJP posts, saying he wanted to focus on his political journey outside organisational responsibilities.

On Monday, Poonawalla said he had submitted his resignation letter to BJP national president Nitin Nabin and requested him to accept it.

He also shared the letter on X, saying he had offered to resign unconditionally from all positions and primary membership of the BJP on July 30, citing “pressing financial and personal circumstances”.

Poonawalla said he was moved by the party’s reluctance to immediately accept his resignation and its request that he reconsider his decision.