"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.
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"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.
The party, Tendulkar said, will also evaluate performance
of each of the sitting MLAs before deciding on their name for the upcoming polls.
According to him, the party has already conducted a survey in each of the constituencies.
"We will have two more surveys that would be done by professional agencies to gauge the party's base in the constituencies. We will also conduct similar surveys in the constituencies where the party does not have MLA," he said.
"The government's performance was evaluated earlier by then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. Now we need to focus on how to reach to more people and win their hearts," he said.
He further said the party is yet coin the slogan for 2017 polls but will contest the election on the plank of development.
"Development and transparency in government would be our poll planks. Last time (2012 polls), BJP had benefited due to corruption in then Congress-led government and also public dissatisfaction towards those in power," he said, adding now the party has to showcase development it has carried out.