 "KJP won't merge with BJP but will support Modi: Yeddyurappa")
Citing his "bad experience" with BJP as the reason for his firm decision to keep KJP's identity intact, he said the question of merger does not arise, even if he is asked to lead the party once the union takes place.
Yeddyurappa was dismissive of reports that his close aide Lehar Singh was in Delhi for talks with the BJP top brass about the possible merger of KJP.
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"Leher Singh should have gone to Delhi for his own work; I have not sent anybody to Delhi," he said, amid reports that his aide was lobbying hard for the homecoming of Yeddyurappa.
The party's decision at the state Executive today comes a day after its core committee meeting, where several of its leaders wanted KJP to retain its identity but be part of NDA and support Modi.
The KJP executive resolved that "in the interest of the country's security and development", it should support Modi in the Lok Sabha polls. "However, KJP is going to maintain its identity and will not merge with any other political party including BJP," Yeddyurappa told reporters.
To a question on pre-poll alliance, he said, "Where BJP has got more votes during the last assembly elections there BJP is going to contest, where we have got more votes- KJP is going to contest."
"If KJP and BJP come together, we will be able to win a minimum of more than 15 to 16 seats," he added. He also said he would not contest the Lok Sabha elections.
Declining to comment on Yeddyurappa's decision not to merge with BJP, but to support NDA with Modi as Prime Ministerial candidate, former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council D V Sadananda Gowda said, "The state unit of BJP has never opposed Yeddyurappa's home coming....It is for the central leadership to decide on the matter and we shall abide by it.