‘What do they get back?’: Shehzad Poonawalla calls to scrap income tax for salaried middle class
Poonawalla Exits BJP: What Do They Get Back?
Theindiapostdaily.com – On Monday, BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla posted a pointed question on X that captured a growing frustration among salaried workers: "What do they get back?" His argument was direct—personal income tax should be scrapped entirely for the middle-class taxpayer until the government delivers world-class public infrastructure and services. The post landed on the same day he announced his departure from every role in the party.
The Tax Grievance in Detail
Poonawalla's post laid out a catalogue of state failures he attributed to the current administration: crumbling road networks, persistent air pollution, unsafe drinking water, and entrenched corruption at multiple administrative levels. His proposed remedy was unambiguous and delivered in capital letters.
"Time to AXE THE PERSONAL INCOME TAX for Salaried Middle Class till we get WORLD CLASS FACILITIES."
He framed the issue as a simple input-output equation. The middle class earns, the middle class pays, yet the return in public goods remains negligible. The question—what do they get back for their contributions—became the rhetorical spine of his entire argument, and he repeated it as a challenge to policymakers rather than a mere complaint.
Stepping Down From Every BJP Role
The tax critique arrived alongside a personal announcement: Poonawalla confirmed he was resigning from all party positions and surrendering his primary membership of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He cited "pressing financial and personal circumstances" as the reason and stated that his resignation letter had been forwarded to BJP national president Nitin Nabin for formal acceptance.
Poonawalla revealed that he had first tendered an unconditional resignation on July 30, but party leadership had asked him to reconsider. Following what he described as extended internal deliberation, he made his final decision public.
"After long and hard contemplation, I have arrived at a final decision that I would like to press for relieving me from my role as National Spokesperson and active primary membership of the BJP."
He added that events linked to certain individuals—about whom he had previously briefed senior party leadership—had sealed his resolve. Looking forward, Poonawalla said he planned to move into the private sector while continuing to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP's broader policy agenda wherever feasible.
"Leaving the System, Not the Person"
Stressing that his departure was institutional rather than ideological, Poonawalla framed his exit in Hindi to remove any ambiguity about his political sympathies.
"Like I said, I am only leaving the Vyavastha, not the Vyakti or Vichar."
He extended gratitude to Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union minister Nitin Gadkari, Nabin, other senior BJP figures, and the "Sangh Parivaar" for their guidance and support over the years.
"In no other country and no other party would a story like mine, of a young, Pasmanda Muslim, non-dynast, even be possible."
Background and Timeline
Speculation about Poonawalla's departure had surfaced on July 31, when he edited his X profile to strip out references to the BJP. No official party confirmation followed at that time. Poonawalla had joined the BJP in December 2017 after leaving the Indian National Congress and rose quickly to become one of the party's most visible young voices, regularly appearing on television panels and social-media debates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Shehzad Poonawalla resign from the BJP?
Poonawalla cited pressing financial and personal circumstances. He had first offered an unconditional resignation on July 30 but was asked by party leadership to reconsider before making his final decision public.
What exactly did Poonawalla propose regarding income tax?
He called for the complete elimination of personal income tax for salaried middle-class workers until the government provides world-class public facilities and services. His framing was conditional: the tax stays scrapped until the state meets a defined standard of delivery.
When did Poonawalla join the BJP?
He entered the BJP in December 2017 after leaving the Indian National Congress. Within a few years he became the party's national spokesperson and one of its most prominent young communicators.
What does "leaving the Vyavastha, not the Vyakti" mean?
Poonawalla used the Hindi phrase to clarify that he was departing the institutional structure of the party, not rejecting its leaders or its ideological vision. He made clear he would continue to back Modi and the BJP's broader agenda from outside the organisation.