Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis rejected Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut’s claim that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is planning to retire from politics.
He said it is inappropriate to discuss succession while a leader is still active.
Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Fadnavis assured that PM Modi will continue to lead the country after 2029.
“There is no need to search for his successor. He is our leader and will continue,” he said.
He also stated that discussing a leader’s heir while they are still active is part of Mughal culture, not Sanatan culture.
The statement came in response to Raut’s remarks that PM Modi was considering retirement and that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) would decide his successor.
Earlier, Raut claimed that PM Modi had visited the RSS headquarters in Nagpur to discuss his retirement plans.
He also suggested that PM Modi’s successor would be chosen from Maharashtra by the RSS leadership.
Raut’s comments triggered political debates, with BJP leaders dismissing them as baseless.
His claim also raised questions about the BJP’s leadership transition plans as PM Modi approaches 75 years of age.
Senior RSS leader Suresh ‘Bhaiyyaji’ Joshi denied any discussions regarding PM’s retirement or replacement.
“I don’t have any such information,” he told reporters in Nagpur.
He also dismissed the claim that the RSS would decide PM Modi’s successor, reinforcing that the BJP remains in control of its leadership decisions.
On Sunday, PM Modi visited Nagpur and paid tribute to RSS founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar at Smruti Mandir.
RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, and CM Fadnavis accompanied him. The visit sparked speculation, leading to Raut’s remarks.
PM Modi will turn 75 in September this year.
Opposition leaders frequently refer to the BJP’s internal rule that bars leaders above 75 from contesting elections.
However, BJP leaders insist that Modi will continue to lead the country beyond 2029.
The retirement debate highlights the political rivalry between the ruling BJP and opposition parties ahead of the upcoming elections.
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