Bangalore: Dismissing suggestions that he is
a "puppet" of party strongman BS Yeddyurappa, Karnataka Chief
Minister DV Sadanada Gowda on Wednesday stressed that he is keen on
getting a five-year term.
Gowda has been derided as a puppet of Yeddyurappa by the
opposition ever since the latter propped up his candidature to
succeed him after he was forced to quit following a Lokayukta
report on illegal mining that indicted him.
Referring to repeated reminders that he has a tenure of
22 months (Assembly polls are due in Karnataka in May 2013),
Gowda, who assumed charge as Chief Minister on August four,
said "I have a desire to get another five years."
After relinquishing his post, Yeddyurappa had said he
would return as chief minister within six months after
clearing his name.
Gowda said he does not want to react to opposition
comments. "I will reply to them by my conduct. I am running
the administration of my own volition and in my own way."
"A good man cannot be a puppet in the hands of anybody. I
will not conduct myself as a puppet," he told a
meet-the-press programme here.
Gowda said he is not discharging his duties under
pressure from anybody but, would receive suggestions and tips
from Yeddyurappa while ultimately the decision would be his
own.
Regarding the Lokayukta report on illegal mining, Gowda
said a committee has been constituted under the chairmanship
of Additional Chief Secretary. Action would be initiated based
on its report, he added.
Noting that the report runs into 25,000 pages and some
600 to 700 officials have been indicted, he said it needs to
be studied in detail and he is in no hurry to act on the
matter as "a detailed report is necessary."
"I will not take a hasty decision," he said adding the
government`s action will be legal and acceptable to public.
PTI
