Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has quashed rumors about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's successor, saying Modi will remain in charge of the nation for the next few years. Refuting Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut's assertion that Modi went to the RSS head office in Nagpur to consult on retirement, Fadnavis said, "In 2029, we will once again see Modi as the prime minister."
Fadnavis disapproved of succession talk as uncalled for, drawing parallels to "Mughal culture" and pointing out that Indian traditions discourage such a debate when a leader is alive.
Senior RSS figure Suresh 'Bhaiyyaji' Joshi too ruled out any talk of Modi's replacement, reiterating his leadership.
Raut had surmised that the RSS could desire a shift in political leadership and opined that Modi could retire in September when he will be 75 years old, citing an unofficial retirement age for certain leaders in the ruling dispensation. Fadnavis, however, rejected such assertions as unfounded.
Modi's Sunday visit to the RSS headquarters was his first since he became prime minister 11 years ago.
In the visit, he referred to the Sangh as a "banyan tree of India's immortal culture," reaffirming his identification with its ethos.
