Shehzad Poonawalla’s decision to quit the BJP came after years of uncertainty over his political role, but the immediate reasons were financial and personal circumstances that required him to return to the private sector, the 38-year-old has said.
He first offered to resign on July 30, but the party asked him to reconsider. He also made it clear that his resignation was not a break with Prime Minister Narendra Modi or the BJP’s ideology. It seemed like a possible focus on issues affecting the middle class.
After “long and hard contemplation”, Poonawalla said he decided to stick to his decision. “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,” he said in his resignation letter, without naming the individuals or explaining what happened. Poonawalla said the party’s initial decision not to accept his resignation was “extremely touching” and he was grateful to the BJP for the opportunities he received over the last five years. “Due to pressing emergency financial and personal circumstances, I will move into the private sector, but wherever possible and in whatever format possible, I will continue to support the vision and work of Prime Minister Modi and the BJP,” he said. “I am only leaving the Vyavastha (organisation) not the Vyakti (people) or Vichar (ideology),” Poonawalla added. A day before his second resignation letter, Poonawalla announced a new initiative called “The Manifesto” on Instagram.
The BJP national spokesperson submitted his resignation from all party posts and primary membership to party president Nitin Nabin on Monday.
