Sudin Dhavalikar sacked as Deputy CM for anti-government activity: Goa CM Pramod Sawant

PANAJI: Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday removed MGP leader Sudin Dhavalikar as his deputy after two MLAs of Dhavalikar's party decided to break away from Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) in order to join the BJP.

Goa CM Sawant, however, said that Sudin Dhavalikar has been dropped from the cabinet because of anti-government activity.

"Dhavlikar has been dropped from the ministry. He was doing anti (government) activity. We are in an alliance government, but his brother Deepak Dhavalikar is contesting in Shiroda (assembly bypoll). Again and again we had requested him, but he is not ready to (withdraw) so we took the decision," Sawant was quoted as saying by IANS.

The MGP had three MLAs in Goa Assembly and Dhavalikar is the only MGP MLA who decided not to join the BJP. He termed the development which unfolded at the wee hours of Wednesday as "dacoity by chowkidars".

Goa CM Sawant informed Goa Governor Mridula Sinha about his decision to drop Dhavalikar as deputy CM.

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

Sinha has accepted Sawant's recommendation to drop Dhavalikar.

"The Governor is pleased to accept the recommendation of chief minister that Sudin Dhavalikar shall cease to be a minister in the council of ministers headed by Chief Minister, with immediate effect," an official notification said.

Dhavalikar said, "People are stunned the way, in the middle of the night, chowkidars conducted dacoity on MGP. People are watching and they will consider their course of action," he said.

He stressed that MGP enjoy support of common people and BJP would not succeed in destroying the party by breaking it. Dhavalikar was allotted portfolios of Transport and Public Works when Sawant took oath as CM few days ago. 

Earlier, two MGP MLAs - Manohar Ajgaonkar and Dipak Pawaskar - gave a letter to officiating Speaker Michael Lobo, announcing their decision to merge with the BJP.

The chief minister also dropped that Deepak Pauskar may take oath as a cabinet minister later in the day.

(with PTI and IANS inputs)