BJP National Spokesperson Shahzad Poonawalla Resigns from Party, Cites Personal Reasons..
BJP leader and national spokesperson Shahzad Poonawalla has abruptly resigned from the BJP, citing personal reasons. However, an official announcement on this matter has not yet been made. Poonawalla updated his bio on his social media account, X, without mentioning the BJP. He stated that an official statement regarding his resignation will be issued soon. His sudden resignation from the party has surprised political analysts. A day before his resignation, Shahzad Poonawala shared an old interview in which he stated that he was considering a departure from active politics. He said, “I have been in active politics for about 18-19 years. I started at a very young age and have now reached the point I wanted to reach.” Poonawala explained that he initially decided to leave politics after Prime Minister Modi secured a third consecutive term in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. However, he subsequently decided to remain active to help the BJP in key assembly elections, including in Delhi, Maharashtra, and West Bengal. He further stated that he now feels the time has come to move on from active political life. 38-year-old Shahzad Poonawalla is known as the BJP’s chief spokesperson. He began his political career with the Congress party. He served as vice-president of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) in Pune, a member of the All India Congress Committee’s media cell’s research team, and secretary of the Maharashtra Congress. However, in 2017, after questions arose about Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, he joined the BJP. He publicly challenged the presidential election within the Congress party, alleging that the election was rigged to make Rahul Gandhi president. He demanded a transparent and merit-based election and asked whether Rahul Gandhi would resign from his post and contest the election as an ordinary member of the party. This public rebellion led to his isolation within the Congress party, and he eventually left the party. During the 2017 Gujarat Assembly election campaign, PM Modi praised Shahzad Poonawalla for publicly exposing the lack of internal democracy within the Congress.
Rahul Gandhi to Interact with Students, Job Aspirants in Dehradun’s ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ Program
On July 17, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, is visiting Uttarakhand. During this visit, he will participate in the “Chhatron Ki Goonj” (Voice of Students) event organized at the Bannu School grounds in the capital, Dehradun. The primary objective of this event is to establish a direct dialogue with the state’s youth, students, and aspirants preparing for competitive examinations. Rahul Gandhi will listen to the concerns of the youth and seek their views on issues such as unemployment, the education system, alleged irregularities in recruitment exams, and paper leaks. The Congress party states that thousands of youths in Uttarakhand have long been affected by delays in government recruitment processes, exam cancellations, and alleged scams. Consequently, the “Chhatron Ki Goonj” event is being viewed as an initiative to amplify the voice of the youth at the national level. The party claims that this dialogue aims to highlight the genuine problems faced by students and aspirants, thereby facilitating a comprehensive discussion on issues concerning their future. However, a deeply tragic incident occurred just a day before Rahul Gandhi’s visit. On July 16, while inspecting the preparations and arrangements at the Bannu School grounds, a Congress worker suddenly fell ill. He was immediately rushed to the hospital, but doctors declared him dead. This incident has cast a pall of gloom over the Congress leaders and workers involved in the event’s preparations. The party has expressed deep grief over the worker’s demise and conveyed its condolences to his family. The organization of this event had been a subject of discussion from the very beginning. According to the initial plan, Rahul Gandhi’s event was scheduled to take place at Dehradun’s Parade Ground, but the administration revoked the permission for the venue. The Congress subsequently protested against this administrative decision and expressed its displeasure. Party leaders stated that the cancellation of permission impacted the event’s preparations. Protesting against the administration’s decision, several senior Congress leaders and workers, including State Congress President Ganesh Godiyal, staged a demonstration. They alleged that unnecessary obstacles were being created regarding opposition events. Following protests, the party made alternative arrangements and shifted the event venue from Parade Ground to Bannu School Ground, where Rahul Gandhi’s program is now being held. Rahul Gandhi’s visit comes at a time when political debate regarding employment, education, and recruitment processes in Uttarakhand is intensifying. While the Congress is attempting to corner the government by linking these issues to the future of the youth, the tragic death of a Congress worker prior to the event has lent an emotional tone to the proceedings. All eyes are now on the message Rahul Gandhi conveys in his address regarding the concerns of the youth and these critical issues facing the state.
Congress enraged over denial of permission for Parade Ground event, staged protest
Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was scheduled to address students at the “Chhatraon Ki Goonj” event on July 17th. The event was scheduled to be held at the Parade Ground in Dehradun, booked by the State Congress Committee for three days, and the committee had already paid the fees. However, three days before the event, on July 14th, the administration cancelled it. During the event, they demanded a new venue for the event, which will now be held at the Bannu School Ground in Dehradun. It is reported that late at night, a truck loaded with supplies was sent from the Parade Ground to Bannu School, leading to a heated altercation between Congress leaders and workers and the police. Rahul Gandhi’s program at the ground suggested by the administration Following the uproar at the Parade Ground late at night on July 14th, Congress leaders and workers gathered at the Congress state headquarters, where they arrived, having been informed by the police administration. The administration had erected barricades and deployed a large police force before the parade ground. Despite this, Congress workers broke through the barricades and proceeded towards the parade ground, engaging in a heated argument with the police. Upon reaching the parade ground, they entered the ground through a gate, broke the lock, and opened the gate, after which Congress workers created a massive uproar inside the parade ground. Congress State President Ganesh Godiyal, along with Yashpal Arya, Pritam Singh, and Harak Singh Rawat, were also present during the protest. When the administration did not relent, Congress leaders decided after the protest that they would organize Rahul Gandhi’s program at the ground suggested by the administration, and preparations would begin soon. Congress State President Ganesh Godiyal stated that Congress is not averse to this government’s decision. The government has the intention to answer to the court, and transparency is the government’s responsibility. However, the government has been exposed, and therefore, Rahul Gandhi’s rally on July 17th will be historic. He also described the Parade Ground protest as a warning to the government. He urged the government to desist from its actions, warning that their downfall is beginning. He also stated that wherever a youth stands, a line is drawn. Uttarakhand needs change because the BJP government has pushed the state into the abyss. The government is afraid of Rahul Gandhi Leader of the Opposition Yashpal Arya stated that the Parade Ground was completely empty, so permission was sought from the Municipal Corporation for the event, which was granted. However, the 170,000 rupee fee was also deposited. Despite this, the reason for revoking the permission is clear: the government is afraid of Rahul Gandhi. Rahul Gandhi is currently organizing the “Chhatraon Ki Goonj” program across the country. This program began in Kota, Rajasthan. Rahul Gandhi wants to expand this organizational campaign across the country. He has also instructed all his front and cell organizations to work with the NSUI to reach out to students at the district level and, under the name of the “Chhatraon Ki Goonj” program, communicate issues such as paper leaks, recruitment scams, expensive education, and shortcomings in the education system. Under this, Rahul Gandhi’s rally is proposed in Dehradun on July 17, which can also be seen as a show of strength before the Uttarakhand Assembly elections 2027.
Uttarakhand Congress Releases District, block & Metropolitan Executive Committees Ahead of 2027 Elections
The Uttarakhand Congress has begun preparations for the upcoming 2027 assembly elections. The party has announced the executive committees of the various district and metropolitan Congress committees. This announcement was made by the Uttarakhand Congress following approval and recommendation from the All India Congress Committee. The executive committee announced by Congress General Secretary (Organization) Rajendra Singh Bhandari includes the executive committees of various districts and metropolitan areas, including the organizational districts of Uttarkashi, Purola, Kotdwar Metropolitan, Pauri Garhwal, Chamoli, Tehri Garhwal, Rudraprayag, Devprayag, Haridwar, Roorkee, Dehradun, Rudrapur, and Kashipur Metropolitan, as well as Udham Singh Nagar, Almora, Bageshwar, Pithoragarh, Didihat, and Champawat. See the full list here
Akal Takht Sahib declares CM Bhagwant Mann ‘Guru Dokhi’ and ‘anti-Khalsa Panth’
A political controversy has erupted following a decision by the Sri Akal Takht Sahib against Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. In a significant development concerning Punjab politics and the Sikh community, the Akal Takht has issued a significant ruling regarding Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. On Monday, June 15th, the Akal Takht declared Mann ‘Dokhi’ and ‘anti-Khalsa Panth’, sparking heated exchanges in political circles. Following the Akal Takht’s decision, opposition parties Congress and BJP have demanded the resignation of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Punjab Pradesh Congress President Raja Wedding has demanded the Chief Minister break his silence on these allegations and resign. According to a report by news agency PTI, the Akal Takht has taken this decision in connection with an alleged objectionable video regarding which the Chief Minister has been accused of lying. The Akal Takht is considered the highest religious body of the Sikhs. Akal Takht has summoned all Sikh MLAs from Punjab The Akal Takht has summoned all Sikh MLAs from Punjab, regardless of their political affiliation, and the Punjab Cabinet to appear before the Akal Takht on June 29th. This summons has been issued in connection with the anti-sacrilege law enacted by the state government. Regarding the anti-sacrilege law, the Akal Takht Jathedar stated that all Sikh MLAs and the Punjab Cabinet must appear before the Akal Takht on June 29th regarding the “Jagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026.” Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh issued this order from the Akal Takht platform after a meeting of the “five Singh Sahibans” in Amritsar. Bhagwant Mann is also accused of making objectionable remarks about the “Gurudwara’s donation box” and insulting Sikh Gurus. Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj claimed that a video circulating on social media shows a man resembling Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. It has been authenticated in the investigation of two forensic labs. He said that there has been no tampering with the video nor has it been created with Artificial Intelligence (AI). He said that in January, the Akal Takht Secretariat had written a letter to the Chief Minister regarding the investigation of the video. At that time, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann himself had said that he was ready for forensic investigation of the video. Giani Kuldeep Singh said that Bhagwant Mann lied before the Akal Takht regarding the video. He said that “five Sikh Sahibans” have unanimously declared the Chief Minister as ‘Guru Dokhi’ and ‘anti-Khalsa Panth’.