Panaji:
Defence minister Manohar Parrikar said on Saturday he is not in the race for Goa chief minister's post as he intends to continue as a Union minister.
"I am holding the charge as defence minister in the Union government. This means I am having responsibility of the entire country. I will continue as defence minister and will not be contesting as the chief minister candidate of the state," Parrikar told reporters in Panaji in the presence of chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar.
Replying to a question, he said the decision on next chief minister of Goa would be taken by party's national president.
In 2012, the Goa BJP had fought the polls under the leadership of Parrikar, who became the chief minister for the third time.
His first stint as CM was on 24 October 2000, but his tenure lasted only till 27 February 2002.
On 5 June 2002, he was re-elected and served another term. In 2014, Parrikar had to resign from the post of chief minister after he was asked by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to join the Union cabinet.
Parrikar said he is happy with Parsekar's performance so far. He said since his induction into the Union cabinet happened all of a sudden, he could not get time to explain to Parsekar the nitty-gritty and demands of the CM post.
"I have been in touch with him for the next 6-7 months giving him feedback about the discussions, which were left midway during my term as CM," he said. He complimented Parsekar for ably handling the affairs of the state.
