NEW DELHI: Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MP Sanjay Raut has ignited a political debate by asserting that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) will play a pivotal role in selecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s successor, who, he suggests, will hail from Maharashtra.
Raut made these remarks following Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the RSS headquarters in Nagpur. He insinuated that the Prime Minister’s visit might be linked to discussions about leadership transition, referencing the RSS’s customary retirement age of 75.
Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut says, “PM Modi went to the RSS office (PM Modi’s visit to Nagpur) to announce his retirement. As per my knowledge, he has never visited the RSS headquarters in 10-11 years. RSS wants a change in leadership. PM Modi is now leaving.”
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis promptly refuted Raut’s claims, emphasizing that there is no need to deliberate on Modi’s successor at this juncture.
Fadnavis stated, “In 2029, we will see Modi as the prime minister again,” underscoring the BJP’s confidence in Modi’s continued leadership. He further remarked that discussing succession while the current leader is active is inappropriate, likening it to “Mughal culture.”
Senior RSS leader Suresh ‘Bhaiyyaji’ Joshi also addressed the speculation, stating that he was unaware of any discussions regarding a leadership change within the organization.
This exchange highlights the ongoing political dynamics and the sensitivity surrounding leadership succession in India’s ruling party. While Raut’s comments suggest internal deliberations within the RSS about future leadership, responses from BJP leaders and RSS functionaries indicate a unified front supporting Prime Minister Modi’s continued tenure.
The discourse also reflects the complex interplay between political parties and ideological organizations in India, where succession planning can become a topic of public debate, influenced by both political strategy and organizational traditions.
As the political landscape evolves, such discussions underscore the importance of leadership dynamics and the role of influential organizations like the RSS in shaping the future of India’s governance.
