Former Karnataka Chief MinisterB S Yeddyurappa today remained firm on his resolve to float anew political outfit and his exit from BJP.
"There is no change in my decision to leave BJP. I willformally announce the launch of my new party at a conventionin Haveri on Dec 10. Before that, I will resign from BJP andmy assembly membership", he told reporters ahead of aluncheon meeting of his supporters at his Dollar colonyresidence.
The sulking Lingayat leader also ruled out anyrapprochement with BJP and dismissed reports that he wouldremain in the party heeding to calls by his party centralleadership.
"I am not aware of the visit by BJP General SecretaryDharmendra Pradhan to persuade me not to quit", he said,virtually shutting doors on negotiations.
Yeddyurappa said he would not force anyone includingministers and MLAs to join his party. "It is left them todecide.If anyone feels that they are comfortable to join me,they may come:I am banking on the support of people".
Yeddyurappa souight to downplay the luncheon meetinghosted by him.
"I have not called any formal meeting. It is also not ashow of strength as being projected by media, some of mysupporters wanted to meet me and they are coming to my housetoday." However, he said today's meeting of his supporters woulddiscuss on appointing V Dhananjaya Kumar as interim presidentof the new party.
The formal meeting of the new party is likely to be heldon November nine. Pradhan, who is arriving here this evening, is likely tomeet ministers of the Jagadish Shettar ministry and MPstomorrow to discuss ways to stop Yeddyurappa quitting BJP.