The Bharatiya Janata Party-Janata Dal (Secular) ministry, headed by H D Kumaraswamy, in Karnataka Wednesday night won a vote of confidence in the state assembly, giving it a shot in the arm five days after assuming office.

A total of 138 members voted in favour of the motion, moved by Kumaraswamy, and 66 against it.

The chief minister proved the majority of his coalition government two days before the eight-day deadline set by Governor T N Chaturvedi.

The support mustered by the Kumaraswamy ministry went beyond the projected combined strength of 126, comprising BJP 79, JD(S) 37, JD(U) and independents five each.

The added numerical strength came from some legislators loyal to Kumaraswamy's father and former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, including senior leaders D Manjunath and M P Prakash, and more independents.

The combined tally of 138 is well above the magic figure of 113 required to enjoy simple majority in the 224-member
house.

Avoiding a whip, the JD(S) led by Kumaraswamy had appealed to cast "conscience vote", in an apparent move to avoid senior leaders loyal to Gowda being put into an awkward spot.

BJP had issued a whip to its members to vote in favour of the motion.

After nearly 14 hours of proceedings before the house was adjourned sine die, the motion expressing confidence in the ministry was put to voice vote, but leader of opposition and former chief minister N Dharam Singh pressed for division of votes.