BJP’s Shehzad Poonawalla apologises to Purvanchalis after outrage over remarks against Delhi AAP MLA

During a heated news channel debate on Wednesday, Poonawalla used AAP MLA Rituraj Jha's surname to mock him

Shehzad Poonawalla, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s national spokesperson, apologised on Friday for his controversial reference to the surname of AAP MLA Rituraj Jha, as the party moved to resolve the issue.

"I tender an apology with folded hands to all my Purvanchali brothers and sisters. My words have hurt them. I do not want to offer any justification," Poonawalla said in a video message posted on X, adding that he has a lot of respect for the hardworking people of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Poonawalla's comments on Jha led to BJP leadership facing increasing pressure to take action.

After BJP's Purvanchali face and North East Delhi MP Manoj Tiwari condemned Poonawalla’s remarks, the Janata Dal (United) on Thursday asked its ally BJP to act against the party spokesperson.

JD(U) spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan Prasad, in a statement, said, "Poonawalla has made a mistake. His comments have caused deep displeasure among people from Purvanchal. The JD(U) seeks action from the BJP's leadership against Poonawalla for his comments."

During a heated news channel debate on Wednesday, Poonawalla used AAP MLA Rituraj Jha's surname to mock him, a remark criticised as abusive by Delhi's ruling party. Poonawalla's jibe came after Jha took a dig at the BJP spokesperson by playing on his surname.

Denying any abusive remarks, Poonawalla accused the AAP of propagating "lies" and engaging in character assassination.

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 pic.twitter.com/cFQYAcnSep

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Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) January 14, 2025

Earlier, Manoj Tiwari denounced the comments by Poonawalla, urging both him and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal to apologise for their derogatory remarks towards the Purvanchali community.

In a video message posted on X, Tiwari said members of every party should refrain from targeting anyone for their caste, state or community.

"I strongly condemn the words spoken by Shehzad Poonawalla (in the TV debate). No matter how much anyone provokes you, the party expects its workers to remain sensitive and maintain decorum... The party will take cognisance, I believe, and I want Shehzad Poonawalla to apologise without any further comments," he said.

In Delhi, the term Purvanchal commonly describes areas in eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Residents from this region form a significant portion of the capital's population and wield considerable electoral influence.

Election in the national capital will take place on February 5 and the results will be declared three days later. The contest is being seen as a straight fight between AAP, in power since 2015, and the BJP, with the Congress trying hard to regain its lost ground in the city which it ruled for 15 uninterrupted years till 2013.