High command to decide on projecting CM face: Goa BJP chief

Panaji, Jan 20: Newly elected Goa BJP president Vinay Tendulkar has said that it for the party high command to decide whether to project a Chief Ministerial candidate for the 2017 Assembly polls in the state.

"It is for the party to decide whether to project a CM candidate before polls. Everytime we need not project a CM candidate. We had not projected the Chief Ministerial candidate in Maharashtra (during 2014 Assembly polls) while we had announced the CM candidate in Delhi (in 2015 Assembly) polls," he told PTI.

He said it is for BJP Parliamentary Board to decide whether to contest polls with a CM face. "Last time (2012 Goa polls), the election was fought under Manohar Parrikar's leadership. The local unit will go as per the decision of the Parliamentary Board on the issue," he said.

However, Tendulkar ruled out the possibility of Parrikar, now the Defence Minister, returning to state politics in 2017 elections.

"I don't think the Centre will discontinue his (Parrikar's) services. He has also been doing a tremendously good job as the Defence Minister so I don't think Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) would permit him to return," he said.

"Parrikar is always there to guide us. He has been holding discussions with the Chief Minister and other ministers whenever they face any problematic issue. Parrikar has already announced that he would be giving complete time to Goa during the 2017 Assembly polls," the state BJP chief said.

He expressed confidence the party's coalition with Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (MGP) will continue even in 2017 polls.

"We will have coalition with MGP. It will be on seat sharing basis. We will have to sit across the table and decide the numbers," Tendulkar said. According to him, both the parties (MGP and BJP) would also have to sort out the "misunderstandings", if any.

PTI