BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla has resigned from all party positions and his primary membership of the Bharatiya Janata Party, citing “pressing financial and personal circumstances” and saying he plans to move to the private sector, as reported in The Hindu.
Poonawalla conveyed his decision in a letter dated 17 August 2026, 2026, addressed to BJP national president Nitin Nabin. He had first offered to resign on 30 July 2026 but said the party leadership had declined to accept his resignation and had asked him to reconsider.
After what he described as “long and hard contemplation”, Poonawalla said he had now made a final decision to leave the party.
“I have arrived at a final decision that I would like to press for relieving myself from my role as National Spokesperson and active primary membership of the BJP,” Poonawalla wrote.
Shehzad Poonawalla Says He Will Move To Private Sector
In his letter, Poonawalla thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Nitin Nabin and senior party leaders for the opportunities he had received during his association with the BJP.
He specifically expressed gratitude to Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, senior leader Rajiv Chandrasekhar and BJP general secretary BL Santosh, among others.
Poonawalla said his decision was driven by personal circumstances rather than any grievance against the party.
“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 stated.
He also stressed that his departure should not be interpreted as a rejection of the party or its leadership.
“I am only leaving the Vyavastha not the Vyakti or Vichar.”
First Resignation Was Offered On July 30
The resignation follows Poonawalla’s earlier attempt to leave the BJP.
According to his August 17 letter, he had submitted his resignation on July 30, offering to step down unconditionally from all positions and surrender his primary membership.
The BJP leadership, however, did not immediately accept it and instead asked him to reconsider.
Poonawalla said he subsequently reflected on the decision before concluding that he still wanted to leave.
The development had already triggered speculation about his political future after he changed his X bio on July 31, removing references to the BJP.
His latest letter now formally confirms his departure from the party.
Continues To Back Modi And BJP
Despite leaving the organisation, Poonawalla made it clear that he would continue to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP’s broader political vision.
He described his five years in the party as an association that had provided him with significant opportunities and thanked the leadership for the platform it had given him.
He ended the letter by expressing gratitude to the party leadership and reiterating that his decision was being taken without “any sense of hurt”.
Poonawalla’s resignation therefore marks a formal end to his role as a BJP national spokesperson and his active primary membership, while he has indicated that his political support for Modi and the BJP’s ideological and political vision will continue.
Resignation Letter.
With utmost humility, sense of affection & gratitude i have once again submitted my resignation letter to @BJP4India & Hon’ble Shri @NitinNabin ji & have requested that the same be accepted.
Eternally grateful for guidance, love, respect and platform that… pic.twitter.com/yUvyJiWNdX
— Shehzad Jai Hind (@Shehzad_Ind) August 17, 2026
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