APJ Sheikh Salim met BJP president Amit Shah and joined the party, the BJP said on Monday .

New Delhi: A grand nephew of former President APJ Abdul Kalam today joined the BJP after he reportedly showed an interest in entering politics.

APJ Sheikh Salim met BJP president Amit Shah and joined the party, the BJP announced on Monday .

Salim is the son of Kalam's brother. The former president had passed away in July due to a heart attack.

The BJP said Salim joining the party will strengthen the organisation.

A Hindu report quoted Salim as saying that he wanted to join the party in 2014 itself, and despite having his granduncle's approval, wasn't able to join the party at the time. Salim also said he wasn't certain about contesting the state polls in Tamil Nadu next year but will let the party decide.

Salim, who is reportedly involved in importing shells and diapers from the US, has also said that he had joined the BJP because he felt it was the only party that could deliver on his granduncle's vision of India.

with inputs from PTI