Kalam's grand-nephew quits BJP over memorial row

A P J Abdul Kalam's nephew today resigned from the BJP, upset over "failure" of the Modi government to convert the residence occupied by the former President into a knowledge centre.

A P J Syed Haja Ibrahim, who had joined BJP in 2012, resigned as Vice President of the minority wing of Tamil Nadu unit of BJP and the party's primary membership.

"It (setting up a knowledge centre) was the wish of not only the former President, but the entire nation. I am resigning my post as this centre has not been set up despite repeated requests. I am also resigning from the primary membership of BJP," he told PTI.

The No 10 Rajaji Marg bungalow in Delhi, occupied by Kalam till his death in July, has been allotted to Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma, a move which had drawn flak from various quarters. Delhi's ruling AAP had also criticised the government decision.