‘If I Die…’: BJP’s Shehzad Poonawalla Starts Hunger Strike Over AAP Allegations

Last Updated:January 14, 2025, 23:09 IST

Poonawalla said that AAP is spreading lies against him by levelling such allegations. He further said that he will continue his fast until AAP proves him guilty.

BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla on Tuesday announced a fast unto death after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accused the former of using inappropriate language against its MLA Rituraj Jha during a live television debate.

Poonawalla said that AAP is spreading lies against him by levelling such allegations. He further said that he will continue his fast until AAP proves him guilty.

“Dear friends, If i die – @AamAadmiParty is solely responsible for it.. I am starting a fast unto death because of the lies spread against me by AAP and for my character assassination until AAP proves i abused anybody. Shri @MediaHarshVT, Aishwarya Kapoor of Republic know the truth i am disclosing below,” he said in a post on X.

The AAP accused the BJP spokesperson of using inappropriate language against Jha.

“BJP spokesperson hurled abusive words at Purvanchal MLA Rituraj Jha on a national channel. This is an insult to the Maithili Brahmin community and an insult to all Purvanchali people,” AAP said in a post on X.

The party also shared a 6-second video, where Poonawalla can be heard making remarks about Rituraj Jha.

In the video, Poonawalla can be heard saying, “Main bhi keh sakta hoon ki Sanjay Jha, Jha 1 aur Rituraj Jha, Jha 2…Main bhi bol sakta hoon Jha 2 ho aap” (I can say Sanjay Jha is Jha 1 and Rituraj Jha is Jha 2. I can say you are Jha 2).

The incident occurred during a heated debate where the AAP MLA had referred to Poonawalla as ‘Chunawalla’, prompting objections from the BJP spokesperson.