Panaji:
The change of guard in Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Goa will take place only after the election of party's national President, a senior party functionary has said.
BJP's Goa observer Aarati Mehra told PTI that the new President will be elected only after the party selects its national President.
The vacancy is created after the BJP Goa unit Chief Laxmikant Parsekar, after being elected from the Mandrem constituency, was inducted as the health minister in the Manohar Parrikar-led cabinet.
"The Goa unit will be headed by the leader who has the ability to take along all others. The new chief should be able to maintain balance between the state government and the party organisation," she said.
Stating that the party has not yet shortlisted anyone for the job, Ms Mehra said "the person with the vision of next five years will be given chance to lead the party".
BJP emerged as the single largest party securing 21 seats in the 40-member House in the assembly elections held on March 3, inflicting a humiliating defeat on Congress.
The party will hold its National Executive meeting on May 24 and 25 in Mumbai, but is undecided on the much-awaited National Council meet which would decide whether its president Nitin Gadkari gets an extension or not.