Harish Poonja (Kannada: ಹರೀಶ್ ಪೂಂಜ) is an Indian politician and member of the legislative assembly from Bharatiya Janata Party representing Belthangady constituency in Dakshina Kannada.^[1][2]

Former MLA Vasanth Bangera and congress party workers organized a protest outside his office demanding to reveal the accounts for a flood relief fund setup under Harish Poonja's leadership.^[3]

A team of local villagers from Dharmasthala, met with Poonja requesting that he not issue any permissions for construction of hotels and guest houses in the temple town since it will lead to desecration of the place.^[4]

On 7th February, 2024 (Wednesday), Mr. Poonja wrote on the X (Twitter) that using the tax paid by Hindus for the welfare of other religious people is an injustice to Hindus. “Hindus’ tax, Hindus’ right”. He justified his controversial remark that “from the current financial year, the tax paid by Hindus should be used only for the welfare of Hindus.”^[5]

In the 15th Karnataka Assembly election, Poonja defeated K. Vasantha Bangera, a five-time MLA from the Indian National Congress with a margin of 22,974 votes.

In the 16th Karnataka Assembly election, Harish Poonja was re-elected as the MLA for Belthangady constituency with a substantial lead of 18,216 votes, defeating Rakshith Shivaram from the Indian National Congress.

Harish Poonja was attracted to RSS ideology as early as 6th year. He went to Balashaka near his village Padangadi in Belthangady Taluk. He studied in Kannada Medium School in his village. His parents still live in the village with their agricultural occupation.^[6]