Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar sacked two ministers from the Bharatiya Janata Party’s alliance partner Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party on Monday night. This follows the MGP saying it would not contest the upcoming Assembly polls under Parsekar’s leadership, and demanding his resignation. Parsekar said he decided to drop them because of “allegations” they had made against him.

Parsekar added that he now holds the portfolios of the two ministers. The two, Ramkrishna Dhavalikar and Pandurang Dhavalikar, had held the public works department and factories portfolios. Parsekar said, “Though it [the decision] is entirely me prerogative, I have my party’s (backing) and I have done consultations.”

Reacting to the move, Pandurang Dhavalikar said, “The chief minister cannot ask his cabinet ministers to resign, instead he should dissolve the Assembly… We had assured the voters and people that we will be with this government for five years and that is why we have tolerated injustice from the BJP,” The Indian Express reported.