'Only BJP can give self-made person like Modi': Shehzad Poonawalla after quitting party

“The rest will only promote their children and dynasties,” he said on X. Only the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) can give the country a self-made person like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former party national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said on Friday, hours after he quit the party.Former BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.“The rest will only promote their children and dynasties,” he said on X, in an apparent reference to the Opposition who have often been accused of indulging in dynastic politics.The BJP “remains the best bet for the youth”, the former BJP leader said, remarks that came against the backdrop of the recent protests, mostly by students, at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar against the NEET-UG paper leak last month that ultimately led to the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan as Union Education Minister.Poonawalla reposted a video in which he made the above remarks in an interview.Earlier in the day, Poonawalla updated his X bio with no mention of his BJP in it. His current bio, a screenshot of which he shared on the micro-blogging site, says:"Religion, Islam, Culture, Hindu, ideology-Bhartiya, Author: GST ki Yatra; Lifelong follower of PM Narendra Modi".This comes days after he hinted at his exit from the BJP, saying time has come to move on from active politics.Sources told CNN-News18 that Poonawalla tendered his resignation to the top brass of the BJP and cited personal reasons behind the decision.Poonawalla joined the BJP after quitting the Congress following a fallout over the party's presidential election process in 2017. After joining the BJP, he was elevated to the position of national spokesperson.Poonawalla has been a staunch supporter of PM Modi. He has repeatedly attacked the Congress and criticised its leaders, including party MP Rahul Gandhi.Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read MoreNarendra ModiGet the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.