‘Never Said Anyone Must Retire at 75’: RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat Clarifies

New Delhi: Speculation around Prime Minister Narendra Modi stepping down after turning 75 in September has been firmly dismissed by both the BJP and its ideological mentor, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, who himself turns 75 just days before the Prime Minister, categorically denied reports suggesting there is an age bar for leadership within the organisation. “I never said I will retire or that someone else should retire at 75… In the Sangh, we are swayamsevaks. We do whatever work we are assigned, whether we want to or not,” he told reporters during the RSS’ centenary celebrations, asserting that he would continue even at 80.

The BJP, too, has repeatedly clarified there is no such rule requiring leaders to step down after crossing 75. The party has cited Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, who is 80, as an example. Home Minister Amit Shah had earlier dismissed opposition claims that Modi would not contest elections after his 75th birthday, stressing that age is not a constitutional or party mandate.

The speculation largely stems from the BJP’s 2019 electoral decision to not field candidates above 75, which saw veterans like LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi sidelined. That move has since been used by the opposition to question Modi’s political future. AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal has even alleged that Modi is preparing to hand over the reins to Shah. Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Sanjay Raut recently claimed that the Prime Minister’s March visit to the RSS headquarters in Nagpur was linked to succession planning, suggesting his successor could come from Maharashtra.

Rejecting such claims, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis countered, “In 2029, we will see Modi as Prime Minister again.”

Meanwhile, Bhagwat took a subtle swipe at the BJP over delays in appointing a new party president, clarifying that the RSS was not orchestrating the process. “If it were up to us, it wouldn’t have taken this long,” he remarked, while indicating that the decision lies solely with the BJP. Party insiders have suggested a new chief will be finalised before the Bihar polls.