'Modi absolutely wrong... grateful to Rajiv Gandhi': Shehzad Poonawalla's fresh digs after BJP exit

Shehzad Poonawalla shared a video from a TV debate and said he would always remain grateful to former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi for giving India Rahul Gandhi

Shehzad Poonawalla, who recently resigned from all posts in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), continued his attack on the Congress on Wednesday, while taking repeated swipes at Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi.

Poonawalla shared a video compilation of his media interactions and said he would always remain grateful to former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi for giving India Rahul Gandhi, whom he credited for ensuring Prime Minister Narendra Modi's victories in the 2014, 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Sharing the video on Wednesday, Poonawalla said, “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 ♥️ Inshallah Rajiv Gandhi, is therefore the biggest Modi ji supporter like me.”

In another post on Rahul Gandhi, Poonawalla issued a warning of sorts, saying, “No filter now - @RahulGandhi be ready". Poonawalla was responding to a post by Jaipur Dialogues featuring an interview with him. In the interview, Poonawalla recalled that while he was in the BJP, he had been told to speak politely even when addressing opposition leaders.

Sharing another clip of a TV interview with former Congress spokesperson Sanjay Jha, Poonawalla mounted the attack on the grand old party over the row surrounding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's “dimagi Naxal” remark from the Independence Day speech.

‘Modi absolutely wrong’

Poonawalla started the attack saying, “Modi is absolutely wrong to categorise folks as DIMAGI NAXAL”.

“They should have been called बददिमगी [brainless] Naxal,” Poonawalla said in the post."

In the most recent post, Poonawalla said, Rahul Gandhi Was a Pappu, Rahul Gandhi is a Pappu. Rahul Gandhi will forever remain a Pappu."

The remarks come after Poonawalla resigned from all his BJP posts, saying he wanted to focus on his political journey outside organisational responsibilities.

Poonawalla on Monday stated that he has submitted his resignation letter to BJP national president Nitin Nabin, requesting that he accept it.

He also posted his resignation letter on X, which stated that he had written to Nabin, offering "to resign unconditionally" from all positions and primary membership of the BJP on July 30 due to "pressing financial and personal circumstances."

In his letter to Nabin, Poonawalla expressed how moved he was by the party's reluctance to accept his resignation promptly, as they requested him to reconsider his decision.

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  Nayanika is a Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times, based in New Delhi, with over six years of experience in the digital media industry. She specialises in delivering clear, insightful coverage across general, national, and international beats, with a strong focus on breaking news and in-depth explainers. Known for her ability to decode complex developments, she enjoys unpacking layered political and policy issues into accessible, reader-friendly narratives that inform without overwhelming. She has previously worked in India's leading newsrooms, including India Today, News18, and Outlook, where she chased news, covered major events of the past six years and led teams. With a Master's degree in Political Science, Nayanika has a keen interest in international relations and global affairs. Her academic grounding shapes her analytical approach to stories, enabling her to connect the dots between domestic events and broader geopolitical currents. She is particularly drawn to stories that require context, nuance, and clarity - turning complicated subjects into compelling reads. Outside the newsroom, Nayanika is a passionate gourmand who loves cooking and sharing meals with loved ones. When she's not writing or tracking the latest headlines, she can often be found exploring local markets for fresh ingredients, seeking inspiration for her next culinary experiment.Read More

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