Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to celebrate his 75th birthday on September 17th. Ahead of this milestone, Congress leader Udit Raj made a significant statement, claiming that PM Modi would resign on his birthday. Raj suggested that this resignation aligns with the age limit that Modi himself had seemingly set for other leaders. The opposition has frequently targeted the PM regarding retirement, particularly since a 2019 statement by Amit Shah indicated that the party wouldn’t field candidates over 75. This has led to the Congress now questioning Modi’s potential retirement at 75. The remarks come amidst discussions sparked by RSS head Mohan Bhagwat’s earlier comments about the need to step down at 75, though Bhagwat later clarified that he never explicitly stated a retirement age. Narendra Damodardas Modi was born on September 17, 1950, in Mehsana, Gujarat. He served as the state’s Chief Minister for three terms (2001-14) and has been Prime Minister since 2014. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, on July 25th, queried whether Modi would retire at 75, referencing the RSS’s stance. Kharge questioned when Modi would retire, suggesting the PM only cares about his position, highlighting the removal of senior BJP leaders like L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, citing the same age-related rule. Mohan Bhagwat, speaking at a book release in Nagpur on July 9th, stated that turning 75 means it’s time to make way for others. However, during a three-day event marking 100 years of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Bhagwat addressed the retirement issue again, clarifying that he had never advocated for a 75-year retirement rule. Furthermore, Amit Shah affirmed in May 2023 that the BJP’s constitution has no retirement provision, and Modi would continue to lead until 2029. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh also dismissed the claims, asserting that such a decision had never been made.
