Two days after Shehzad Poonawalla resigned from primary membership of the BJP, the former party spokesperson has opened up about his reasons for resigning and his stance on returning to Congress.
In a conversation with a news channel, Poonawalla said he was open to the idea of rejoining the Congress party, but put forth a condition. "I will join the Congress party. On one condition: Remove Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and Priyanka Vadra. Apologise for Nehru's actions," he added.
Poonawalla left the Congress party and joined the BJP in 2021. His political career began with the Congress in 2008, working in youth wings and media cells. In 2017, he quit the party after publicly calling its internal presidential election process "rigged" in favour of Rahul Gandhi.
In his first interview after resigning from all the posts and primary membership of the BJP, Poonawalla said his decision was influenced by his financial condition and personal responsibilities. "I have to pay rent. My landlord won't give me the house for free just because I'm from the BJP. He asks for rent on the 1st. Political parties don't pay workers," he said.
"The BJP's job isn't to hire me or any other worker. When you join a political movement, it's not a job. You become a worker because you like the ideology, like the person, or love the organisation. I had all three of these things."
He added that he remained ideologically aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi despite his intention to leave the party. “I'm not a fortune teller like Rahul Gandhi, but I can say that there has never been, and never will be, a greater leader in this country than Prime Minister Modi. And after serving as the national spokesperson of the world's largest democratic party, do you think I would join another party? The BJP is the best party in India right now," he added.
