<p>Shehzad Poonawalla, the national spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its most visible faces on TV debates, surprised everybody on Friday after he changed his bio on X handle by dropping the 'National Spokesperson' designation but retained "lifelong follower of Prime Minister Narendra Modi".</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>"Religion: Islam, Culture: Hindu, ideology: Bhartiya, Author: GST ki Yatra; Lifelong follower of PM Narendra Modi" -- Poonawalla mentioned in his updated bio.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>His Instagram profile, however, still shows him as the national spokesperson of the BJP.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>ALSO READ:</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/supreme-court-grants-divorce-to-omar-abdullah-after-settlement-with-estranged-wife-payal-1785494276973"> Supreme Court grants divorce to Omar Abdullah after settlement with estranged wife Payal</a></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>He also reposted clips from old interviews in which he talks about considering quitting active politics, thus raising speculations of retirement. However, there has not been any official confirmation in this regard by the 38-year-old politician.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>In one of the videos shared he talks about how he was ready to quit politics in 2024 but decided otherwise.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>"There was a video of PM Narendra Modi that had gone viral wherein he looked very emotional after returning to power for the third time. Seeing his expressions and knowing that a few important elections were coming at the time, such as Bengal, Delhi, Maharashtra and Haryana, I decided to stick around. I decided to work hard to win these elections to send a message (of their political strength in the country) and then step away from active politics," he is heard saying in the video.</p><h2>Poonawala's rise in politics</h2><p>&nbsp;</p><p>A lawyer by training, Shehzad Poonawala came to prominence in 2017 when he challenged Congress' internal election process alleging that it was rigged in favour of Rahul Gandhi so that he is made the party president.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Soon after he quit politics and joined the BJP where he was made the party's national spokesperson.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Shehzad Poonawala came to prominence in 2017 when he challenged Congress internal election process alleging that it was rigged in favour of Rahul Gandhi so that he is made the party president.

Shehzad Poonawalla, the national spokesperson of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its most visible faces on TV debates, surprised everybody on Friday after he changed his bio on X handle by dropping the 'National Spokesperson' designation but retained "lifelong follower of Prime Minister Narendra Modi". "Religion: Islam, Culture: Hindu, ideology: Bhartiya, Author: GST ki Yatra; Lifelong follower of PM Narendra Modi" -- Poonawalla mentioned in his updated bio. His Instagram profile, however, still shows him as the national spokesperson of the BJP. ALSO READ: Supreme Court grants divorce to Omar Abdullah after settlement with estranged wife Payal He also reposted clips from old interviews in which he talks about considering quitting active politics, thus raising speculations of retirement. However, there has not been any official confirmation in this regard by the 38-year-old politician. In one of the videos shared he talks about how he was ready to quit politics in 2024 but decided otherwise. "There was a video of PM Narendra Modi that had gone viral wherein he looked very emotional after returning to power for the third time. Seeing his expressions and knowing that a few important elections were coming at the time, such as Bengal, Delhi, Maharashtra and Haryana, I decided to stick around. I decided to work hard to win these elections to send a message (of their political strength in the country) and then step away from active politics," he is heard saying in the video. Poonawala's rise in politics A lawyer by training, Shehzad Poonawala came to prominence in 2017 when he challenged Congress' internal election process alleging that it was rigged in favour of Rahul Gandhi so that he is made the party president. Soon after he quit politics and joined the BJP where he was made the party's national spokesperson.

<p>Shehzad Poonawala came to prominence in 2017 when he challenged Congress' internal election process alleging that it was rigged in favour of Rahul Gandhi so that he is made the party president.</p>

Shehzad Poonawalla, BJP's national spokesperson quits politics? Here's what sparked social media buzz

<p>Former Maharashtra Congress Secretary&nbsp;Shehzad Poonawala said on Sunday that the office of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi had insulted him.</p>

<p>He said he had called Rahul Gandhi&#39;s office to &quot;ask him for his time&quot; but that Gandhi&#39;s office insulted him.</p>

<p>Poonawala said he had wanted to meet Gandhi to show him proof that the Congress presidential elections were rigged.</p>

<p>Poonawal said he wanted to meet Rahul Gandhi before he files his nomination. The last day for the filing of nominations is December 4.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Today morning, I called Rahul Gandhi&#39;s office to ask him for his time so I could give him the proof that it was a rigged election before he files nomination tomorrow. so. he has some morality&amp; stops process and takes right decision but his office insulted me: Shehzad Poonawalla <a href="https://t.co/Y7EhADZtpp">pic.twitter.com/Y7EhADZtpp</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937273853360742400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Poonawala added that &quot;if Sardar Patel was insulted by (the) Congress leadership back then, then I feel the same way today.&quot;&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">If Sardar Patel was insulted by Congress leadership back then, then I feel the same way today.When I raised my voice to end dynasty politics&amp;election for Pres post&amp;,not coronation of Rahul Gandhi,then they (Congress)said I was not member.I proved that they lied:Shehzad Poonawalla <a href="https://t.co/TZKffcfmPP">pic.twitter.com/TZKffcfmPP</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937272474856652801?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Till three days ago, I had been receiving communication from Maharashtra Congress office, now they are saying I am not a party member. I had to become a whistle-blower: Shehzad Poonawalla <a href="https://t.co/xVwxzTNxQE">pic.twitter.com/xVwxzTNxQE</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/937291394971922432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>Poonawalla has earlier alleged that the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-as-congress-president-elections-rigged-says-maharashtra-congress-secretary-25485" target="_blank">elections for the post of Congress party president was &quot;rigged&quot;</a>.</p>

<p>He has said that they are a &quot;selection&quot;, not an &quot;election&quot;.</p>

<p>Poonawalla has claimed that he has information that the delegates who will vote in the election for the post of party president had been appointed for their loyalty.</p>

<p>On November 20, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) passed a resolution to make Rahul Gandhi the Congress party president.</p>

<p>The party has set December 16 as the date of polls -- &quot;if necessary&quot;. That is if there is any candidate other than Gandhi.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The counting of votes and declaration of results will take place on December 19.</p>

<p>The last date of filing of nominations is December 4.</p>

<p>The scrutiny of nominations will take place on December 5.</p>

<p>If there&nbsp;is no candidate other than Rahul Gandhi, the Congress will declare him president of the party on the last date of scrutiny.</p>


Shehzad Poonawala said he called Gandhi's office to 'ask him for his time' but that his office insulted him

Former Maharashtra Congress Secretary Shehzad Poonawala said on Sunday that the office of Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi had insulted him. He said he had called Rahul Gandhi's office to "ask him for his time" but that Gandhi's office insulted him. Poonawala said he had wanted to meet Gandhi to show him proof that the Congress presidential elections were rigged. Poonawal said he wanted to meet Rahul Gandhi before he files his nomination. The last day for the filing of nominations is December 4. Today morning, I called Rahul Gandhi's office to ask him for his time so I could give him the proof that it was a rigged election before he files nomination tomorrow. so. he has some morality& stops process and takes right decision but his office insulted me: Shehzad Poonawalla pic.twitter.com/Y7EhADZtpp — ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2017 × Poonawala added that "if Sardar Patel was insulted by (the) Congress leadership back then, then I feel the same way today." If Sardar Patel was insulted by Congress leadership back then, then I feel the same way today.When I raised my voice to end dynasty politics&election for Pres post&,not coronation of Rahul Gandhi,then they (Congress)said I was not member.I proved that they lied:Shehzad Poonawalla pic.twitter.com/TZKffcfmPP — ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2017 × Till three days ago, I had been receiving communication from Maharashtra Congress office, now they are saying I am not a party member. I had to become a whistle-blower: Shehzad Poonawalla pic.twitter.com/xVwxzTNxQE — ANI (@ANI) December 3, 2017 × Poonawalla has earlier alleged that the elections for the post of Congress party president was "rigged". He has said that they are a "selection", not an "election". Poonawalla has claimed that he has information that the delegates who will vote in the election for the post of party president had been appointed for their loyalty. On November 20, the Congress Working Committee (CWC) passed a resolution to make Rahul Gandhi the Congress party president. The party has set December 16 as the date of polls -- "if necessary". That is if there is any candidate other than Gandhi. The counting of votes and declaration of results will take place on December 19. The last date of filing of nominations is December 4. The scrutiny of nominations will take place on December 5. If there is no candidate other than Rahul Gandhi, the Congress will declare him president of the party on the last date of scrutiny.

Rahul Gandhi's office insulted me: Ex-Maharashtra Congress secretary

<p>Countering Maharashtra Congress Secretary Shehzad Poonawalla&#39;s allegations that election&nbsp;for the post of Congress party president is &quot;rigged&quot;, Congress Karnataka&nbsp;chief,&nbsp;Dinesh Gundu&nbsp;Rao on Saturday said Congress is the only party which conducted an election for the post of president.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Poonawalla had earlier sarcastically remarked that the upcoming presidential election in the Congress party was a &quot;selection&quot; rather than an &quot;election&quot;.</p>

<p>&quot;The upcoming Congress president election is a selection and not an election. It&#39;s a sham election process,&quot; Poonawalla had said and added that&nbsp;he had information that the delegates who would vote for party president had been appointed for their loyalty. He also suggested that there should be one ticket in one family.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In response to these allegations, Gundu&nbsp;Rao defended his party&#39;s&nbsp;stand and said, &quot; Congress is the only party which had polls for President.Even when Sonia Gandhi contested, Jitendra Prasad was the opponent.&quot;</p>

<p>The entire party wants Rahul Gandhi to become president, he said.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Congress is only party which had polls for President. Even when Sonia Gandhi contested, Jitendra Prasad was opponent. Somebody asking him (Shehzad Poonawalla) to do it to create distractions. Entire party wants Rahul Gandhi to become president: Dinesh Gundu Rao, Cong K&#39;taka chief <a href="https://t.co/4lTdzpMMR5">pic.twitter.com/4lTdzpMMR5</a></p>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/936899348310274048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Congress Working Committee (CWC)&nbsp;on November 20 had&nbsp;passed a resolution to make Rahul Gandhi the party&#39;s president.</p>

<p>The party has decided to set December 16th as the date of polls &quot;if necessary&quot;. The counting of votes and declaration of results will take place on December 19.</p>

<p>The last date of filing nominations is December 4, while December 5 is the day of scrutiny of nominations. In case there is no candidate apart from Rahul Gandhi, Congress will announce his candidature on the last date of scrutiny.</p>


Responding?to Shehzad Poonawala's comments that claimed 'selection of Congress party president',? the party's Karnataka Chief?has come out with a defending?statement

Countering Maharashtra Congress Secretary Shehzad Poonawalla's allegations that election for the post of Congress party president is "rigged", Congress Karnataka chief, Dinesh Gundu Rao on Saturday said Congress is the only party which conducted an election for the post of president. Poonawalla had earlier sarcastically remarked that the upcoming presidential election in the Congress party was a "selection" rather than an "election". "The upcoming Congress president election is a selection and not an election. It's a sham election process," Poonawalla had said and added that he had information that the delegates who would vote for party president had been appointed for their loyalty. He also suggested that there should be one ticket in one family. In response to these allegations, Gundu Rao defended his party's stand and said, " Congress is the only party which had polls for President.Even when Sonia Gandhi contested, Jitendra Prasad was the opponent." The entire party wants Rahul Gandhi to become president, he said. Congress is only party which had polls for President. Even when Sonia Gandhi contested, Jitendra Prasad was opponent. Somebody asking him (Shehzad Poonawalla) to do it to create distractions. Entire party wants Rahul Gandhi to become president: Dinesh Gundu Rao, Cong K'taka chief pic.twitter.com/4lTdzpMMR5 — ANI (@ANI) December 2, 2017 × The Congress Working Committee (CWC) on November 20 had passed a resolution to make Rahul Gandhi the party's president. The party has decided to set December 16th as the date of polls "if necessary". The counting of votes and declaration of results will take place on December 19. The last date of filing nominations is December 4, while December 5 is the day of scrutiny of nominations. In case there is no candidate apart from Rahul Gandhi, Congress will announce his candidature on the last date of scrutiny.

'Entire party wants Rahul Gandhi to become President': Karnataka Congress chief