Shiv Sena (Uddhav Bal Thackeray) MP Sanjay Raut is known for his impish political sense that creates controversies. Latest being about Prime Minister Narendra Modi “retiring” in September this year when he completes 75 years of age. Raut coincided his statement with Modi’s visit to the RSS headquarters in Nagpur and even went to the extent of saying that Modi’s successor will be from Maharashtra. His reference was to state Chief Minister Devender Fadnavis. Fadnavis proved smart and wise enough to dismiss Raut’s claims instantly.
Even Raut knew it well what he said had no basis. But he made the BJP come out with denials and clarifications that Modi would be there till 2029 and the party will contest the next General Election under his leadership and in his name.
It would be naïve to imagine the BJP without Modi at this stage. The BJP no doubt is a powerful organisation with strong roots spread all across the country. Coupled with Modi’s image and charisma, the party has become invincible. It has won three consecutive elections since 2014, besides several state elections.
Raut has touched the BJP’s “raw nerve” by alluding to the party’s “unwritten” law to retire leaders once they complete 75 years of age. Veteran BJP leaders like LK Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi were benched for the reasons of their “old age”. The party had specially constituted the “Margdarshak Mandal” to accommodate the party veterans who “were” to retire. Initially, the BJP had included former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former Deputy Prime Minister LK Advani and former party president Murli Manohar Joshi in the Margdarshak Mandal, which was supposed to be the “guiding force” for the party.
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In 2014, when Amit Shah was the BJP president, in order to neutralise the criticism that the “Margdarshak Mandal” was like a “retirement home” for the leaders it wanted to get rid of, he nominated Narender Modi and Rajnath Singh into the Mandal, which has rarely ever met for any meeting or brainstorming. The once most powerful triumvirate of Vajpayee, Advani and Joshi was originally “rehabilitated” in the Margdarshak Mandal. While Vajpayee had already completely retired from active politics, Advani and Joshi were still elected MPs. Given their seniority, the party found it difficult to accommodate them in the new scheme of things, where they would hardly fit in.
Raut has set the proverbial cat among the pigeons with this statement. Although BJP may not find it difficult to explain its stance on Modi, the debate and discourse has already started. Prime Minister Modi has understandably not reacted nor has the BJP come out with any official clarification. So far Maharashtra Chief Minister Fadnavis has been clear and categorical about the party contesting the 2029 General Elections also under Modi’s leadership.
The BJP has not officially adopted any rule to retire its leaders at 75. There were only a few examples in the past. Moreover, except in very few cases, there was no situation where any of the BJP leaders reached 75 while holding some important office. Yes, the BJP has started the practice of not fielding candidates who are nearing 75 years or have crossed that age threshold.
The opposition parties will definitely try to rake up the issue in the month of September, when Modi crosses 75 years. His continuing in office is a foregone conclusion. Even if he wishes and wants to relinquish, the BJP and possibly the RSS, will not let him quit.
It will be too simplistic to conclude that the BJP will let Modi retire at this stage, when he is at the peak of his popularity. No political party would like to bench a popular leader like him. Modi is like a strong “in-form” batsman, at the peak of his career, who delivers victories, one after the other. Which team can afford to drop such a match winner?
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