PANJIM: Amidst prevailing crisis within the BJP besides Opposition demanding a full time chief minister for Goa, Union Minister Shripad Naik has said that change in leadership is the need. “Today or tomorrow, the change in leadership is needed,” he said responding to a media question whether he stands by his previous statement regarding the change in leadership.
When asked whether it was fair to allow CM Manohar Parrikar handle administrative matters despite his illness, Naik, who is also the North Goa MP for Lok Sabha, commented: “There are many reasons, which cannot be fully talked about. Things will happen in time.” The union minister conceded that despite Parrikar’s ill health, he has been continuously working and handling the administrative affairs of the State.
In view of simmering differences within the party with recent outbursts from former CM Laxmikant Parsekar and former minister Francis D’Souza, Naik said he would take the lead to patch up differences among the BJP leaders.
Parsekar has even demanded resignation of Rajya Sabha MP Vinay Tendulkar from the post as BJP President in the interest of the party. Efforts to resolve the rift has been in vain so far.
In May, when the Opposition had sought to know the status of the government, the union minister had denied leadership change stating Parrikar will be back from his treatment in the US.
Naik, who has often been considered as an important contender for the CM’s post, had recently said that Parrikar should have stayed back in AIIMS instead of returning to Goa last month.
Ahead of CM’s arrival to Goa via chartered plan, Naik had said, “I have got the news. I still cannot believe it. I met him day before yesterday. His health has improved over the last 15 days but I feel he should stay there for a few more days.”
