The North News
Mumbai, March 31
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday rejected speculation about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s successor, insisting there is “no need to search” as Modi will continue to lead in 2029. His remarks came in response to Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, who claimed the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) was preparing to pick Modi’s replacement. Raut suggested that Modi’s visit to the RSS headquarters in Nagpur signaled his retirement, according to media reports.
“There is no need to discuss succession. Modi is our leader,” Fadnavis told reporters in Nagpur, according to the news outlet The Indian Express. Dismissing speculation that the next leader might come from Maharashtra, he added, “In our culture, when the father is alive, it is inappropriate to talk about succession. That is Mughal culture,” the news outlet NDTV reported.
Fadnavis also dismissed claims that Modi, who turns 75 in September, would step down due to an unspoken Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rule barring leaders above that age from ministerial roles. The BJP has denied such a rule, pointing to ministers like 80-year-old Jitan Ram Manjhi.
The debate over Prime Minister Modi’s future has resurfaced after his visit to the RSS headquarters, fueling speculation that Home Minister Amit Shah could be positioned as a successor.
