Nokia India head P Balaji quits

Nokia India head P Balaji has put in his papers, citing personal reasons, an indication of a possible resentment under Microsoft which purchased the handset maker in a $ 7.2 bn deal last year.

"After spending almost two years with Nokia and now in Microsoft Devices Group (MDG), P Balaji has decided to move on from the organization for personal reasons," media reports said quoting a Microsoft spokesperson.

Media reports say that several employees may join Balaji and quit the company.  Around 550 Nokia staff had moved to Microsoft after the buyout.

"While the company looks for candidates, Ajey Mehta, the head of sales operations-India Middle East and Africa (IMEA) will get the additional responsibility of the acting area head for India in the interim period," Microsoft said.

Balaji will continue to be an advisor to the MDG and Mehta through the transition till October 2014.

Once a number 1 handset player, Nokia was beaten by Samsung and home grown Micromax in the feature phones section.

Recently, Microsoft had announced major organizational changes with the end of Nokia X series, the Nokia Asha 40 series smartphones, Nokia McLaren and other budget phones, besides the company is in the process of laying off 18,000 employees, the biggest job cut in its history, with over 50% of the layoffs taking place in Nokia's handset business only.