NEW DELHI: Nuclear scientist Anil Kakodkar has resigned as the chairman of the board of governors of IIT Bombay apparently because of differences with the HRD ministry over selection of some IIT directors. Kakodkar, whose tenure was supposed to come to an end in May this year has, however, agreed to continue till that period after being persuaded by HRD minister Smriti Irani, who had a long telephonic conversation with him on Tuesday evening, sources in the ministry said."I have put down my papers because I want to move ahead," Kakodkar said but refused to comment on queries whether differences had cropped up between him and the minister over selection of the directors.Significantly, his move came ahead of a crucial meeting of search-cum-selection committee to select the directors of IIT Patna, Bhubaneswar and Ropar.The committee is chaired by Irani and Kakodkar is one of the members of the panel. The committee is slated to meet on March 22.Kakodkar's resignation came two months after IIT Delhi director R Shevgaonkar had stepped down from his post in December last year which had triggered a controversy amid reports that there were sharp differences between him and the ministry over certain issues. His resignation is yet to be accepted.According to sources in the HRD ministry, there was consensus on the choice of a new director for IIT Patna and Bhubaneswar but the same was not in the case of IIT Ropar.About 37 candidates have been called for a fresh round of interview in the ministry.Kakodkar is understood to be not in agreement with the ministry over the selection of the candidates.Congress alleges government interferenceThe resignation of noted nuclear scientist Anil Kakodkar was raised in the Rajya Sabha with Congress alleging government "interference" in the institution and wanting a clarification.Raising the issue during Zero House, Leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad said it was a matter of serious concern that top people from educational institutions were resigning allegedly over differences with HRD minister Smriti Irani. He questioned why Kakokdar resigned and what had transpired between the chairman of the Board of Governors of IIT Bombay and the minister, who is chairman of the Search Committee, over the appointment of three new directors as there were reported differences.Azad said this is not the first time such things have happened and raised previous such instances where R Shevgaonkar resigned as a director of IIT Delhi citing some "unforeseen situations". He also cited instances where differences with Delhi University vice chancellor had cropped up last year and questioned why such instances were leading to resignations."We feel there is a lot of interference by the government and due to this, such institutions of excellence will be choked. Government should clarify as to what is the reason for these resignations in these institutions," he said."The Prime Minister says we will build top class institutions and will give more importance to IITs. These are prestigious educational and technical institutions which are India's pride and are regarded the world over. But top people are leaving these institutions due to differences," he said. Kakodkar, who is a former chairman of Atomic Energy Commission, resigned as the chairman of the Board of Governors of IIT Bombay apparently because of differences with the HRD ministry over selection of some IIT directors.