'Leaders Should Retire At 75,' Says RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat, Triggers Opposition Buzz On PM Modi's Future

Mumbai: Chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Mohan Bhagwat has rekindled the demand for public figures to hang their boots at the age of 75. He reiterated his view while speaking at a "guru purnima'' event at Nagpur where the RSS is headquartered. He said when someone greets you on your attaining 75 years of age it means that you must stop (being active) and make way for others.

Sanjay Raut of the Shiv Sena (UBT) was quick to interpret this as a direct message to prime minister Narendra Modi to step down. The PM will be completing 75 years on September 17 this year. Incidentally, Bhagwat himself will be completing 75 years a few days before that on September 11. He has been the "sarsangchalak" of the RSS since March, 2009. The Sangh itself will complete 100 years on September 27, 2025.

In the past Union home minister Amit Shah had dismissed the suggestion that Modi should step down at 75. Interestingly, Shah on Thursday stated that he would like to devote his retired life to the study of the Vedas and Upanishads.

The RSS, which has been asserting its position in the Sangh Parivar of late, would definitely like to have a major say in hand picking a successor to Modi if the latter decides to call it day.

Sources in the BJP said it was "too premature" to talk of Modi laying down office on attaining 75 years. He had successfully led the party to power in three consecutive elections. He has made the organisation invincible in several states. And if the party wins the Bihar assembly elections it will add one more feather in his cap. He is facing no health issues and enjoys a high energy level matched by few of his peers.

They claimed that Bhagwat had only made a general observation and that his remark was not aimed at Modi. "If at all Bhagwatji wanted to say anything on this sensitive issue he would have done so in private and not at a public function," a senior BJP leader observed. The party will also have to find a candidate for the President's post. Incumbent President Draupadi Murmu's term ends on July 25, 2027.

The BJP's current priority is to elect a new president. The incumbent president J.P. Nadda is already on extension and there is a growing demand to appoint a dynamic leader in his place. In the past the name of Maharashtra's chief minister Devendra Fadnavis was suggested, but the latter said he was happy to work at the state level. It will not be surprising if Fadnavis, who is known for his superior organisational skills, is pitchforked for the top post.

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Union minister Nitin Gadkari's name was also mooted. But he had already served his term as the party president from 2009 to 2013. He is known for his outstanding performance as minister for highways in which capacity he had remarkable work in creating road infrastructure. He hails from Nagpur and enjoys an excellent equation with Bhagwat. However, at 68 he is facing health issues.