Panaji, Nov 12 (TOI): Union Ayush minister Shripad Naik has said that there is no need for a change in the state’s leadership as of now as despite his illness, chief minister Manohar Parrikar is handling the administration very well.

Naik’s statement comes just two days after he had underlined the need for change in leadership.

On Friday, the union minister said a leadership change was “inevitable” due to Parrikar’s prolonged illness. “Change aaj nahi toh kal karna padega (The change in leadership has to be effected, if not today then tomorrow). It is a requirement. You know that the chief minister is unwell,” Naik had said at a press conference on Friday.

In a press note issued on Sunday, Naik said, “Though the chief minister is ailing, he is managing the administration very well. In such circumstances, there is no need for change in leadership, as of now at least. This is what I meant when I replied to the question about a change in leadership.”

Naik further accused the media of misinterpreting his statement.

In September, after meeting chief minister Manohar Parrikar at a private hospital in Candolim where he was admitted, Naik was the first to make a public statement about the need for a change in leadership in the state.