2 K’taka MLAs withdraw support

Bengaluru, January 15

In a jolt to the HD Kumaraswamy-led Congress-JD(S) government in Karnataka, two Independent MLAs today withdrew support to the seven-month-old ministry amid turmoil triggered by charges of horse-trading flung at each other by the ruling coalition and the BJP.

In a significant turn to the political war that erupted yesterday with both sides venting fears of poaching, H Nagesh (Independent) and R Shankar (KPJP) wrote to Governor Vajubhai Vala, conveying their decision to withdraw their support with immediate effect.

Both lawmakers, staying at a Mumbai hotel, sent identical letters to the Governor, requesting him to take “necessary action”, a move that reduced the ruling coalition’s strength to 118, but still kept it in the safe zone in the 224-member Assembly.

Putting up a brave face, Congress and JDS top leadership said the government was safe, with a seemingly unfazed Kumaraswamy saying his ministry was stable and “I am totally relaxed”. The action by Nagesh and Shankar came even as the 104 BJP MLAs were hunkered down at a resort in Haryana’s Nuh district, fearing poaching by the ruling coalition. Shankar was dropped from the ministry during the recent Cabinet reshuffle, reportedly for showing reluctance to be an associate member of the Congress, while Nagesh was miffed over not being included in the ministry.

During the ministry formation exercise after the May 2018 Assembly polls, Shankar had announced support to the BJP, but made a last-minute switch towards the Congress. Nagesh, a former Congress man, had contested and won as an Independent candidate after not getting the party ticket.

Insisting that the two MLAs’ action would have no bearing on his ministry, Kumaraswamy said: “I know my strength. My government is stable. Don’t worry.” 

Taking a swipe at the BJP, the Chief Minister said: “What is going to happen? If two Independents declare support (to BJP). What will be the numbers? I am totally relaxed. I know my strength.”

With fear of ‘Operation Lotus’ — a reference to BJP’s alleged move in 2008 to lure Opposition MLAs to ensure stability of then BS Yeddyurappa govt — taking shape, AICC general secretary KC Venugopal held a meeting with Kumaraswamy. 

Yeddyurappa has rubbished reports about the BJP attempting ‘Operation Lotus’ to topple the government and alleged the Congress-JD(S) combine was trying to lure Opposition MLAs. — PTI

Siddaramaiah, oppn in Twitter war

Mr Saaf Niyat @narendramodi is allowing your disgraceful @BJP K’taka leaders to destabilise govt. A ‘Saaf Niyat’ towards democracy? Your PR slogans don’t hide your actual ‘Niyat’ & your ‘Sahi Vikas’ should go beyond developing resorts. — Siddaramaiah, Cong Ex-CM

Disgraceful is when you form govt even after being rejected by people of Karnataka. Lack of Niyat & Vikas in your unholy alliance is a result of crippled govt. BJP