Goa CM drops Dy CM after 2 MGP MLAs break away from party

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant dropped deputy CM Sudin Dhavalikar from the cabinet on Wednesday after he refused to break away from the Maharashrawadi Gomantak Party and merge his party's legislative wing with the BJP. Pramod told the media that the decision to fill up the vacant seat will be taken soon.

Panaji: Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday dropped deputy CM Sudin Dhavalikar after two MLAs of the latter's Maharashrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) broke away and joined the ruling BJP. Dhavalikar was the lone MGP MLA who did not break away from the party.

In a communique addressed to Goa Governor Mridula Sinha, Sawant informed her about the latest development.

"I have dropped Sudin Dhavalikar from the cabinet. The decision on filling up the vacant seat will be taken very soon," Sawant told the media.

Dhavalikar was allotted portfolios of Transport and Public Works which would be now looked after by Sawant.

Governor Sinha, who is in New Delhi now, has cut short her visit and would be arriving in Goa later during the evening to administer the oath to the new minister replacing Dhavalikar.

During the wee hours Wednesday, two of the three Maharashrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) MLAs-- Manohar Ajgaonkar and Dipak Pawaskar-- gave a letter to officiating Speaker Michael Lobo, merging their party's legislative wing with the BJP.

Dhavalikar, the third MGP MLA, did not sign the letter.

On Tuesday, MGP president Dipak Dhavalikar had claimed that his party was the target of a conspiracy by opponents. He had said moves were afoot by rivals to wean away Ajgaonkar and Pawaskar, and in the process isolate Sudin Dhavalikar.

"Any attempt to disturb our MLAs will be viewed seriously and we won't mind pulling out of the government," the MGP chief had said.