Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut kicked up a row on Monday claiming Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters on Sunday was to discuss his retirement in September. Raut also claimed the RSS is likely to choose the next leader from Maharashtra.
Addressing presspersons on Monday, Raut said, “He (Modi) probably went to RSS headquarters to write his retirement application in September.” Modi turns 75 in September this year and some leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party have retired at that age. Raut claimed RSS wants a change in leadership and Modi is leaving. “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,” Hindustan Times reported quoting Raut.
#WATCH | Nagpur: On PM Modi's visit to RSS' Smruti Mandir, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis says, "Modi ji is a 'swayamsevak', he has been a 'pracharak'. Even today, his life is like that of a 'pracharak'. That is why when he came to the program, we got to see his experience, his… pic.twitter.com/b283tqRWbh
— ANI (@ANI) March 30, 2025
Raut added Modi discussed his retirement with RSS leaders in a closed door meeting at Nagpur. “RSS will decide the successor of Narendra Modi and he will be from Maharashtra,” Raut claimed.
Modi visited the RSS headquarters for the first time since becoming prime minister on Sunday. He offered tributes at the memorial of RSS founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar and second sarsanghchalak M.S. Golwalkar.
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However, the Bharatiya Janata Party and RSS refuted the claims. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis denied the claims and said Modi will return as prime minister in 2029 as well. “There is no need to search for his successor. He (Modi) is our leader and will continue. Discussing succession while the leader is active is inappropriate in Indian culture. In our culture, when the father is alive, it is inappropriate to talk about succession. That is Mughal culture. The time has not come to discuss it,” PTI reported quoting Fadnavis.
RSS leader Suresh Bhaiyyaji' Joshi also said he is not aware of any talk regarding replacing the prime minister.
