BS Yeddyurappa spikes speculation about joining BJP

BANGALORE: Former Karnataka Chief Minister and KJP President B S Yeddyurappa today scotched speculation about joining BJP, saying he would retain the identity of his party.

"Karnataka Janatha Paksha has decided to retain separate identity and will never merge with any political party including BJP. It will support (Narendra) Modi as prime ministerial candidate through NDA," he told reporters here.

Yeddyurappa alleged that a few BJP leaders were intentionally trying to create confusion by spreading rumours that he is preparing to go back to BJP.

"We earnestly want to put an end to this issue and make it very clear that KJP will remain a separate political party and will never merge with any political party."

Yeddyurappa had recently written to NDA chief and veteran BJP leader L K Advani showing KJP's willingness to be a constituent of the BJP-led grouping.

He flayed central government for "failing" to provide protection for political rallies and asked it to ensure protection to leaders including Modi, whose Patna rally on Sunday was hit by series of crude bomb blasts that left six dead and 82 others injured.

Asked whether he received any invitation from Modi to attend the Bangalore rally to be held next month, he said "I have not received any invitation from NDA as yet."