BENGALURU, 21 MARCH

Former Karnataka chief minister and sitting MP DV Sadananda Gowda on Tuesday, who is upset with BJP, said he is not quitting the saffron party to join Congress, and would work towards "purification" of the party's state unit.

Alleging "Pariwarwad" in Karnataka BJP, without taking any names, the former inion minister said those who have taken the responsibility of the party in the state have become "selfish". He is "upset" over being denied the ticket to contest again in Lok Sabha polls from Bengaluru North.

"Yes, I'm pained and upset over not getting a ticket. Yes, I got an invitation from Congress. But, no, I will not join Congress. My future step will be towards purification of Karnataka BJP," Gowda said. Speaking to reporters here, he said he wants Modi as Prime Minister once again, and said the BJP in Karnataka should become a pro-people party that is accepted by the people in the state.

"In the Assembly polls, the people kept BJP away following allegations of 40 per cent commission and nepotism, this should not happen. For this there should be a Modi's BJP in Karnataka, it should be free from pariwarwad (dynast), brashtachara (corruption) and jatiwad (casteism), as preached by Modi, and I will fight for this," he said.

BJP had moved Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shobha Karandlaje from Udupi Chikmagalur Lok Sabha segment, which she currently represents, to contest from Bengaluru North.

Gowda had earlier announced his decision to retire from electoral politics, but later backtracked saying there is pressure on him to contest the election again. Congress had contacted him and made an offer for a ticket, considering that he is a "gentleman politician", he claimed, after he was denied one by the BJP. They had promised to stand with him against the "injustice".