lingayat strongman and KJP chief BS Yeddyurappa has no plans to merge his party with the BJP. He also ruled out coming back to the saffron fold but wants to strengthen the KJP to align with the “third front”.
Speaking to mediapersons here, Yeddyurappa said, “I am not joining any party or my party will not be merged with any party. I want to focus on strengthening the KJP to become a regional party. I am looking at forging alliances with other parties in the next lok Sabha elections.”
Yeddyurappa also said no party was “untouchable” in the elections and his option on KJP’s alliance with other parties was open. “We have an open mind on alliance politics and the KJP will take a decision that suits its interests,” he said, denying he has been approached by the BJP leaders asking him to join the party.
Yeddyurappa, who recently held discussions with Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav in Bangalore, indicated that he was for supporting the idea of third front led by Mulayam and others. A close aide of Yeddyurappa told The Pioneer the former CM wants to play some role in the national politics and wants to align with the third front floated by the regional outfits. He also said Yeddyurappa’s aim was to be in centre of political activity in the ensuing 2014 general elections where no party is expected to get majority.
Yeddyurappa who proved a point in decimating the BJP in the Assembly polls in Karnataka with a vote share of about 10 per cent wants to keep his political identity intact.