Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis firmly stated on Monday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would remain in power for many years. His remarks came in response to Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut’s claim that Modi visited the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters in Nagpur to inform RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat about his retirement.
Speaking in Nagpur, Fadnavis dismissed the speculation. He asserted, “In 2029, we will see Modi as the Prime Minister again. There is no need to search for his successor. He (Modi) is our leader and will continue.”
Fadnavis emphasized that discussing succession while a leader is still active goes against Indian traditions. He remarked, “In our culture, when the father is alive, it is inappropriate to talk about succession. That is Mughal culture. The time has not come to discuss it.” His response referred to Raut’s claim that Modi’s successor might come from Maharashtra.
Sanjay Raut’s Claim on RSS and Modi’s Retirement
On Monday, Sanjay Raut alleged that the RSS was seeking a change in the country’s political leadership. He suggested that Modi’s visit to the RSS headquarters might have been to submit his retirement application for September. “He (Modi) probably went to the RSS headquarters to write his retirement application in September,” Raut claimed, linking it to the trend of leaders in the ruling party retiring at 75.
Notably, PM Modi will turn 75 in September this year.
During his visit to the RSS headquarters in Nagpur, his first in 11 years since becoming Prime Minister, Modi described the Sangh as “the banyan tree of India’s immortal culture.”