Decision to join BJP influenced by 'Make in India', other projects: APJ Sheik Saleem

RAMESWARAM: Former President late APJ Abdul Kalam's grand nephew APJ Sheik Saleem, who joined the BJP recently, today said his decision to join the party was influenced by its development programmes like ' Make in India'.

Saleem said he had stayed with Kalam in Delhi for years and attended his meetings. During interactions with students the former President always made it a point to mention that those who wished to enter politics should do so, serve people and then emerge as leaders.

"In deference to his wishes I joined a national party. BJP is also taking steps for the development of the country," he told PTI.

"In fact I was to have joined the BJP when he (Kalam) was alive. But unfortunately he passed away," he said.

Saleem said he would focus on social service, serve the party as an ordinary worker and abide by whatever its leaders asked him to do.

He termed as "false propaganda" the views that the BJP was anti-minority and said the Modi government would protect all people of the country, irrespective of caste, creed or religion.

He said he planned to meet state BJP President Tamizhisai Soundararajan on October 2.

Saleem had joined the BJP on September 28 in Delhi after meeting party President Amit Shah.