BJP's Shehzad Poonawala in his video.
Credit: X/@Shehzad_Ind
BJP leader Shehzad Poonawala announced that he was beginning a fast-unto-death over AAP spreading false allegations about him, late Tuesday night.
In a post on X, he said, "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. #ShehzadAbusedByAAP"
In his video, Shehzad says, "Hello friends, I'm joining you tonight because AAP, which is the party that lies that most, and that propogates foul language, today they have spread huge lies about me. They have edited a 5-second clip and tried to portray that I called Rituraj Jha offensive things."
He then went on to show the clip that AAP had shared on their platform, where 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).
He then went on to explain the context of the clip and alleged that AAP is targeting him for being a Muslim. He said that during his debate on TV with Rituraj Jha, the AAP leader kept calling him 'Choonawala' (He who cons people). In reply to that insult, he said words that AAP then clipped, which he even clarified that he could say those words, but it isn't right to do so.
He then cited the journalist and anchor present during the debate as witnesses to the truth behind the clip that AAP edited and shared.
He goes on to allege that AAP is turning the narrative against him, with their top leaders sharing the edited clip.
"I am now going to stop eating and drinking anything, and con sleep in front of the AAP office. Either AAP should prove that I was the one who started the whole name calling row, or they must apologise to me, because this is a question against my integrity, my family and my community. I didn't start anything. Starting from now, even if I die, I will keep fasting until AAP either proves its words or apologises to me. " Poonawala said in his video, adding, "If I go on to die, then AAP is responsible for it."
This comes ahead of the Delhi Assembly Elections 2025, set to be held on February 5.