Fadnavis Defends Modi Against Retirement Claims Amid Speculation

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis firmly declared that PM Modi will not retire in September, dismissing Sanjay Raut’s claims of succession due to age. Fadnavis emphasized no formal retirement rule exists, and confidently predicted Modi would continue leading until at least 2029. He described succession talks as culturally inappropriate while Modi is alive, countering speculations following Modi’s recent visit to the RSS headquarters.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis denied any expectation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi retiring this September, asserting, “There is no need to search for his successor. He is our leader and will continue,” during remarks in Nagpur. This statement was a rebuttal to Sanjay Raut of the Shiv Sena, who suggested that Modi would resign upon turning 75 on September 17 due to unwritten party norms regarding age limits for leaders.

Fadnavis emphasized the absence of any such retirement rule, noting that current cabinet member Jitan Ram Manjhi is over 80 and serves as the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Minister. Speculations about Modi’s potential successors have circulated, initiated by AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal’s assertions in the previous elections about Amit Shah being groomed for Prime Minister.

Modi’s recent visit to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters has fueled further speculation. Raut claimed the visit was to discuss Modi’s successor, stating, “He probably went to the RSS headquarters to write his retirement application in September,” and predicting that his successor would originate from Maharashtra.

Fadnavis countered these rumors vigorously, predicting Modi would remain in power until at least 2029. He likened discussions of Modi’s succession to cultural insensitivity, stating, “In our culture, when the father is alive, it is inappropriate to talk about succession. The time has not come to discuss it,” and sarcastically referred to it as “Mughal culture,” alluding to contemporary debates over the historic figure Aurangzeb’s grave.

In summary, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis firmly rejected Sanjay Raut’s claims regarding Prime Minister Modi’s imminent retirement, affirming that Modi will continue leading the party. The absence of age-related rules in the party was highlighted, and Fadnavis expressed cultural disapproval of discussing succession while Modi is still active in leadership. The opposition’s speculations following Modi’s recent RSS visit have been met with robust denials from the ruling party. Fadnavis’s comments emphasize confidence in Modi’s leadership, projecting his continued influence well into the future, underscoring that discussions about succession are both premature and culturally inappropriate.

Original Source: www.ndtv.com