This is what chief minister-designate B S Yeddyurappa said about himself during an informal interaction with reporters in Bangalore on Saturday, after celebrating Deepavali with his children and their families. 

Recalling his association with the RSS, Mr Yeddyurappa said that it was the Sangh Parivar that taught him hard work and instilled courage in him to face challenges boldly.

Asked about his priorities after occupying the chief minister’s post, Mr Yeddyurappa said that he would come out with a clear action plan after seeking a trust vote on the floor of the Assembly. Rural development, checking corruption and activating bureaucrats would be top on his agenda, he added.

“The primary challenge before me is to ensure that rural people live in peace, get all amenities and to see that they do not get distressed in life,” he added.

Former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, who managed an alliance of two dozen parties, has become a role model for Mr Yeddyurappa, who now has to shoulder the responsibility of leading a coalition.

Asked who would be the deputy chief minister, he said, “I would be one among those who would feel happy if H D Kumaraswamy occupies the post of deputy chief minister.”