Will remain in BJP and contest from Bilagi: Murugesh Nirani

Like many other BJP leaders and ministers in Jagadish Shettar's cabinet Murugesh Nirani's loyalty is divided between BJP and BSY , but at last he has decided to remain in BJP and ditch BSY whom he considers a mentor in politics. Here are excerpts of his interview with TOI.
Are you still firm that you want to remain in BJP?
Yes now I am firm in my decision to remain in BJP and contest elections from Bilagi.It had become inevitable for me to remain in BJP as people of my constituency are against me going to KJP.
Why were you dill-dallying on whether to remain in BJP or to jump to KJP?
I owe lot to BSY for my growth in politics, it was BSY who identified me and helped me to grow in politics by giving me big posts including making me the minister with an important portfolio. I do not wanted to hurt BSY. At the same time I should consider the feeling of the voters. Meanwhile Umesh Katti, Bommai and Sommanna all decided to remain in BJP and asked me to join them.
You were a trusted lieutenant of former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa. Don't people think that you have back-stabbed at a crucial moment?
I had never said that I will join Yeddyurappa's KJP, I only said that I will decide what the constituency people say, now I have followed their diktat. This does not mean that I have backstabbed Yeddyurappa, even the constituency people told me that I should contest on BJP ticket.
Why were you so keen on contesting from Jamkhandi when you are confident of winning from Bilagi?
In 2004, I contested from Bilagi and won, in 2008 following delimitation I wanted to contest from Jamakhandi and at that time party leaders agreed to provide a ticket from Jamkhandi, but when Srikant Kulkarni entered the scene he asked me to spare the constituency and he agreed to vacate the seat for me in 2013, now the party has asked me to contest from Bilagi and constituency people are requesting me not to orphan them by shifting the constituency. I am confident of winning elections from both constituencies.
What assurance you got from BJP leadership to stay put in the party?
Why leadership should assure me something when I am a part of second line leaders in party, I am a BJP man as I started my politics with BJP and I was in national executive, it is my party and I am a loyal worker in it. I want to make clear that even BSY never requested me to join him.
BJP is staring at strong anti-incumbency and it is unlikely to form a government. Don't you think you had a better option contesting from KJP since the party has secret alliance with Congress?
I am the last person to indulge in opportunistic politics, I was divided between love of BSY and BJP, now I have decided to throw my weight behind BJP, power is secondary for me , I cannot quit BJP because it is at the receiving end and losing, let us see what the people have in their mind, now all claims will sound speculative.
Do you still have love for BSY in your heart?
He is a great leader, I have highest regards for him when it comes to leadership, but in politics, party counts more.