Karnataka turmoil; 2 MLAs withdraw support, my govt is stable,

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

In a significant turn to the political war that erupted on Monday with both sides venting their 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 hotel in Mumbai, sent identical letters to the Governor and requested 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 that the government was safe, with a seemingly unfazed Kumaraswamy saying his ministry was stable and "I am very totally relaxed."
He added, "Whatever are the episodes in our Kannada (TV) channels going on from last one week I am enjoying it."
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"
There is no threat to the government.I enjoy the news channels running programmes like soap opera about threat to the government."