Panaji, March 28: Amidst the ongoing number game in Goa Assembly, state Tourism Minister Manohar Trimbak Ajgaonkar, who recently joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) on March 27, was appointed as the new Deputy Chief Minister of Goa on Wednesday. Goa Deputy CM and MGP Leader Sudin Dhavalikar Dropped From Cabinet Hours After 2 Lawmakers of His Party Join BJP.

This comes after the newly appointed Goa Chief Minister Pramon Sawant on Wednesday dropped Sudin Dhavalikar as the deputy CM and two Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) of MGP merged their party's legislative wing with the BJP. Two MGP legislators were Deepak Pauskar, a legislator from Sanvordem assembly constituency, and Ajgaonka. Lok Sabha Elections 2019: Two MGP MLAs Split, Merged into BJP, Says Goa Deputy Speaker.

Tweet by ANI:

CM Sawant, in a statement on Wednesday, said, “I have dropped Sudin Dhavalikar from the cabinet. The decision on filling up the vacant seat will be taken very soon.” The recent merger takes Bharatiya Janata Party's legislative strength to 14 in the 40-member Goa assembly.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 28, 2019 02:56 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).