Calling for a change in guard at the party's helm, Parrikar, 54, said it would have to project a new youthful face with credibility.

'I am not against elders, but the BJP should give prominence to leaders who are between 40 and 60 years,' he said.

Party spokesperson Ravi Shanker Prasad refused to answer any queries on the matter.

'I don't know anything. I am not supposed to react to everything,' he said and hung up.

While Prakash Javadekar, another party spokesperson, did not respond to calls, Rajiv Pratap Rudy's cell phone was switched off.

Said party vice-president Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi: 'I would not know about this; I was busy with Eid festivities.'