Annoyed and angry over the political misuse of the name of their illustrious relative, Missile Man and peoples President, APJ Abdul Kalam, his nephew APJ M Haja Syed Ibrahim launched a new political party – Desiya Jananayaka Katchi. The main objective of this political party is to prevent anyone else from exploiting the goodwill of the
former president, who is loved by the children and youth and is an icon.

Ibrahim, 50, a civil contractor, launched the party a couple of days ago at Rameshwaram in south Tamil Nadu, from where Abdul Kalam hails. Ibrahim said he started the political party to prevent anyone from misusing Dr Kalam’s name. This was directed against V Ponraj, adviser to Dr Kalam, who started a political party with his name – Abdul Kalam Vision India Party enraging his family members no end.

Ibrahim and another of his cousins, Sheik Saleem who is the grandson of Dr Kalam, lambasted Ponraj for trying to exploit the goodwill and name of a strictly apolitical person for his personal political gains. Ibrahim said his party will not use Dr Kalam’s name in any way. At the launch function he said, “we would not use Dr Kalam’s name in any way to further our political interests.”

Ibrahim was the vice president of the BJP TN Unit’s minority wing and quit the national party after the central government rejected his demand for turning Dr Kalam’s residence in Delhi into a knowledge centre. He quit the BJP in November last year.

He is also extremely cut up with the BJP, for ignoring his suggestions and requests on issues relating yo youth and education. But the immediate provocation for the launching of DJK was the pressing need to put a full stop to Ponraj’s efforts to cash in on Dr Kalam’s name.

Ibrahim and his party DJK has got some recognition and support from Dr Kalam’s family, which is waiting and watching his every move.

Dr Kalam’s grandson Sheik Saleem said that he wished the new party well, but said under no circumstances should it mention the name of the former president to seek political gains. Ibrahim said his party’s agenda was to achieve Dr Kalam’s goals of good quality education to the children and promote scientific temper and curiosity among the
children.

The DJK will also work to ensure health for all, he said.

The party would guide the students and focus on developing the education system and creating job opportunities,” Ibrahim said at the party launch function.

For starters, it would contest only five seats and Ibrahim said he would not contest the elections this time around.