Belagavi/UNI: Former Karnataka Chief Minister and senior BJP leader BS Yediyurappa has announced retirement from electoral politics and added that he is not interested in central politics, but wants to bring BJP back to power in the state.

Yediyurappa, who is also a powerful Lingayat leader, said not fighting elections does not mean that he is retiring from politics. Instead, he would criss-cross the state to bring BJP back to power in the state, he added.

"I am 80 years old now, so I will not contest the election. But it doesn't mean I am retiring from politics.

"I will travel across the state and do my best to bring BJP back to power," told reporters here while responding to a pertinent question.

His aim also is to ensure the victory of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he added.

On Jul 22 last year, the Lingayat leader had hinted at retiring from electoral politics when he stated that he would vacate his Shikaripura assembly seat to his younger son BY Vijayendra in the next assembly election in the state.

Vijayendra is seen as Yediyurappa's political heir apparent. Yediyurappa had resigned as the Chief Minister on Jul 26, 2021.

The BJP strongman also said no to central politics.

He said "I am not interested in central politics. Even former Prime Minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee had invited me to the Centre, but I had rejected the offer. The party has given me all the respect possible and I will try to repay it."

On BJP's predicament over ticket distribution due to many prominent aspirants in the party, Yediyurappa said only winnable candidates will be fielded in the election.

Tickets will be distributed after two rounds of survey, and BJP will win 140 seats in the ensuing assembly elections, he added.