Panaji, July 19: In a significant development, Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP), a coalition partner in the Goa government, tonight empowered its central committee to withdraw support to bjp-led ministry at "an appropriate time", following reports about one of its MLA's planning to leave the party. The meeting attended by the central committee, advisory committee and working committee of MGP, also empowered the central committee to take whatever action it deemed fit against its MLA and transport minister Pandurang Madkaikar, MGP president Pandurang Raut told reporters after the meeting.

The action against Madkaikar comes in the wake of reports about the MLA planning to "leave" the party and "join" BJP.
Madkaikar had been served "with a show cause notice yesterday asking him to explain his stand within 24 hours", he said.

As no reply was received from Madkaikar, the central committee has been asked to decide on suitable action against the MLA and also decide at the "appropriate time" to withdraw support to the government, Raut said.

In the 40-member legislative assembly, BJP has 17 members, followed by congress with 16, UGDP has three MLAs, MGP two, NCP and Independent one each.
The Manohar Parrikar-led coalition government consists of the BJP, UGDP, MGP and the Independent MLA.

Bureau Report