Panaji: Two ministers and an MLA from the ruling BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) in Goa were arrested today (July 8, 2004) for allegedly indulging in vandalism at a Congress supporter's house at Mapusa on Monday (July 5).

The three, Law Minister Francis D'Souza, Agriculture Minister Dayanand Mandrekar and Thivim MLA Sadanand Shet Tanawde had called on the Director General of Police Amod Kanth, when they were arrested and later released on bail.

The issue, which had rocked the State Assembly with Congress MLAs demanding dismissal of the Government, is listed for discussion with Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar expected to make a statement later in the day.

GPCC (Goa Pradesh Congress Committee) president Luizinho Faleiro had on Tuesday (July 6) alleged that the Ministers had instigated the mob to pelt stones at Congress worker Matthew Braganza's house in Mapusa and claimed that it had been caught on video.

Though D'souza admitted that he and Mandrekar were present at the demonstration, he denied reports of violence. Claiming he had gone to investigate Braganza's claim that he had reserved a suite for former Governor Kidar Nath Sahni in his hotel after the latter's dismissal.

Parrikar had yesterday said that seven people had been detained in connection with the incident.

The Chief Minister had however, denied any involvement of the Ministers, saying they were at Raj Bhavan for a farewell function for Sahni when the violence took place.