Shehzad Poonawalla takes swipe at Rahul Gandhi, says he could become PM of Pakistan or Italy

New Delhi, September 18, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)

Former BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla has taken a jibe at Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, saying Gandhi could become Prime Minister of Pakistan, Italy or any other country he frequently visits.

Speaking to IANS, Poonawalla said Gandhi could become Prime Minister of another country if he chose to take its citizenship, while alleging that he spends considerable time outside India.

“Rahul Gandhi can become the Prime Minister but perhaps of Pakistan. If he prefers, of Italy, or whichever country he frequently visits, like Bangkok—if he wishes to take citizenship there, he could become Prime Minister of that country, since he spends most of his time abroad anyway. In India, he only visits briefly between his vacations,” Poonawalla said.

Poonawalla also made predictions about future Indian elections, asserting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would return to office in 2029 with a larger margin and again in 2034 if he contests. He further claimed that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath would return to power in the 2027 Assembly elections with a bigger margin than the BJP secured in the 2017 polls.

He also expressed confidence that the BJP, under its president Nitin Nabin, would form governments in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab and win the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

“PM Modi will become the country’s Prime Minister for the fourth time. Those who are unable to digest this fact can keep crying,” he said.

Poonawalla, who resigned from the BJP in August after citing personal and financial circumstances, also explained his decision to leave active party politics. He said he had been considering a return to the private sector after the 2024 Lok Sabha elections but continued with the BJP for some time because of the political circumstances following the polls.

“After the 2024 elections, it was in my mind to transition to the private sector,” Poonawalla said, recalling that he had worked in the media before joining politics and had previously drawn a regular salary.

He joined the BJP in 2021 and served as a national spokesperson. His resignation from the party was subsequently confirmed in August, with Poonawalla saying he intended to move into the private sector.