Goa Health Minister Laxmikant Parsekar Saturday took oath as chief minister to succeed Manohar Parrikar who is becoming a union minister.

Parsekar took the oath of office and secrecy soon after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) succeeded in persuading Deputy Chief Minister Francis D’Souza to accept his leadership.

And so, while Parsekar’s name was formally proposed by Parrikar, D’Souza seconded it at a meeting of party legislators. D’Souza had earlier said he would not serve in the government under anyone else including Parsekar.

Parsekar will be Goa’s 11th chief minister.

His candidature was also endorsed by the BJP’s parliamentary board, party sources said.

Parrikar resigned from office after his elevation to the union cabinet, possibly as defence minister.