IANS

New Delhi, Aug 23: Sudheendra Kulkarni, a key aide of senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani and previously of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, has ended his association with the party over "ideological differences".

He, however, maintained that his decision had nothing to do with the expulsion of Jaswant Singh over his book "Jinnah: India, Partition, Independence".

"I decided to end my association with the BJP several weeks back. My decision has nothing to do with the unfortunate incident of Jaswant Singh-ji," Kulkarni told Times Now.

He said he would continue to be a well-wisher of the party and added: "I have the highest regard for Advani-ji and Atal Bihari Vajpayee-ji, whom I have worked with for 13 years."

Kulkarni, who began his political activism as a Communist, worked in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) during Vajpayee's time and served as his speech writer, media adviser and political aide.

"From now on I will be totally independent. I will work with like-minded members of other parties...," Kulkarni told the news channel.