I am not BSY's puppet, need another 5-year term: Gowda

Bangalore, Aug 24: Dismissing suggestions that he is a "puppet" of party strongman B S Yeddyurappa, Karnataka Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda today 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 my self 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.

PTI