Sudheendra Kulkarni, an important aide of senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani and earlier of former PM AB Vajpayee, has quit the party over "ideological differences".

Sudheendra, however, siad that his decision had nothing to do with the expulsion of Jaswant Singh from the BJP 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 said.

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

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