Shehzad Poonawalla Leaves BJP, Criticises Party Over Middle Class
Listen to the story
Indian politician Shehzad Poonawalla has left the BJP, a major political party, and changed his tone toward it.
After leaving, he said the middle class has become like an ATM for the government.
By this, he meant the government keeps taking money from middle-class people without giving much back.
Poonawalla also responded to comments made by a person named Zubair.
Zubair had made a remark about Pasmanda Sanatani Muslims, a term used for certain Muslim communities.
Poonawalla gave a sharp retort to this comment, criticising Zubair directly.
He also spoke about the Congress party, another major political force in India.
Poonawalla said he would be willing to join Congress in the future.
However, he added that he has set one condition before he changes his mind and joins.
The exact details of this condition were not fully explained in the report.
His comments come soon after his exit from the BJP, suggesting a shift in his political views.
It is unclear at this stage what his next political step will be.
The remarks were shared as part of a short video interview about his departure from the party.
Poonawalla has been known in the past for making strong political statements in the media.
His change of tone has drawn attention because he was previously seen as a supporter of the BJP.
Vocabulary7 words
- BJP
- a major political party in India
- ATM
- a machine that gives out cash
- Pasmanda
- a term for certain Muslim communities in India
- retort
- a sharp answer given back to someone
- Congress
- another major political party in India
- condition
- something that must be true before something else happens
- political tone
- the way someone talks about politics
Quiz
Answer key
1. An ATM 2. Zubair 3. Yes
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Indian politician Shehzad Poonawalla has left the _____, a major political party.
After leaving, he said the middle class has become like an _____ for the government.
He meant the government keeps taking _____ from middle-class people.
Poonawalla also responded to comments made by a person named _____.
Zubair had made a remark about _____ Sanatani Muslims.
Poonawalla gave a sharp _____ to this comment.
He also spoke about the _____ party.
He said he would be willing to join Congress under one _____.
His comments come soon after his _____ from the BJP.
It is unclear what his next political _____ will be.