‘Doesn’t mean I have backstabbed Yeddyurappa’

After dilly-dallying for over six months, industries minister Murgesh Nirani has decided to stay put in the BJP and contest from Bilagi. He believes his prospects are brighter with the BJP.
Are you firm about remaining in the BJP?
Yes, I am. It has become inevitable for me to stay put because people in my constituency don't want me to join the KJP.
Why were you dilly-dallying then?
I owe a lot to my mentor B S Yeddyurappa.It was he who helped me grow in politics, apart from making me a minister with a key portfolio. I didn't want to hurt him. At the same time I realized I should honour the voters’ feelings as well. Meanwhile Umesh Katti, Basavaraj Bommai and Somanna who were his followers like me, asked me to stay back.
You were a trusted lieutenant of Yeddyurappa. Won't this be seen as betrayal?
I had never said that I would join the KJP. I only said that I will go by what voters say and I have done that. This doesn't mean I have backstabbed Yeddyurappa. That thought should not arise.
Why were so keen on contesting from Jamkhandi when you are confident of winning from Bilagi?
In 2004 I contested from Bilagi and won. After the delimitation exercise in 2008, I wanted to contest from Jamakhandi. Party leaders too had agreed but Srikant Kulkarni had meanwhile entered the scene and he asked me to spare the constituency, saying he'd vacate it for me in 2013. Now of course, the BJP has fielded me from Bilagi and people there too have asked me not to abandon them.
What assurance you got from the BJP leadership for staying back?
Why should they assure me of something when I am part of the second line of leadership? I am a BJP man. I started my career in this party and I was in national executive. I am a loyal worker.
BJP is staring at strong antiincumbency wave. Don't you think you had a better option contesting from KJP?
I am the last person to indulge in opportunistic politics. I was divided over loyalty to Yeddyurappa and the BJP. Now I have decided to throw my weight behind the BJP. Power is secondary to me.