Yeddyurappa spikes speculation about joining BJP

Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Karnataka Janata Paksha President B S Yeddyurappa on Tuesday scotched speculation about joining the Bharatiya Janata Party, 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 the National Democratic Alliance," he told reporters.

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

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

Yeddyurappa had recently written to the 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 Bengaluru rally to be held next month, he said "I have not received any invitation from the NDA as yet."