Archive · 17 Aug 2026
Poonawalla calls to scrap income tax for salaried middle class
A leader from a big political party in India named Shehzad Poonawalla said that people who work for a salary and pay income tax should not have to pay it anymore.
He thinks these people work hard and pay their taxes, but they do not get good things back, like good roads, clean air, clean water, and honest government.
He wants the government to give world-class facilities to people.
On the same day, he said he was leaving his job in the party.
He said he had personal money problems and other reasons for leaving.
He had first offered to leave on July 30, but the party asked him to think again.
He said he will work in the private sector now.
He also said he will still support the Prime Minister and the party's ideas.
He thanked many leaders for their guidance.
He said his story as a young Pasmanda Muslim who was not from a political family was only possible in India and in this party.
BJP leader Shehzad Poonawalla called for scrapping personal income tax for the salaried middle class.
He argued taxpayers do not receive adequate public services, citing bad roads, air pollution, toxic water, and corruption.
On the same day, he announced his resignation from all positions and primary membership of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
He cited pressing financial and personal circumstances and events involving certain individuals as reasons for resigning.
Poonawalla said he would move to the private sector but continue supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP's vision.
- Who
- Shehzad Poonawalla, a BJP leader and former National Spokesperson
- What
- Called for scrapping personal income tax for the salaried middle class and announced his resignation from the BJP
- When
- On Monday; he had initially offered to resign on July 30
- Where
- India
- Why
- He believes the middle class pays taxes without receiving adequate public services in return
- Person
- Shehzad Poonawalla
- Role
- National Spokesperson and primary member of the BJP (resigned)
- Proposal
- Scrap personal income tax for the salaried middle class
- Reason for proposal
- Middle class pays taxes but lacks world-class facilities like good roads, clean air and water
- Resignation
- From all positions and primary membership of the BJP
- Reason for resignation
- Pressing financial and personal circumstances
- Initial resignation offer
- July 30
- Future plans
- Move to the private sector; continue supporting PM Modi and BJP's vision