Sanjay Raut Claims RSS Picking 'Modi’s Successor', Fadnavis Dismisses It: 'PM Will Lead Beyond 2029'

Shortly after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut asserted that the RSS is set to choose a successor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by September, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday dismissed the claim, stating that Modi will continue to lead even beyond the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.

Criticising Raut for his "Mughal" mindset, Fadnavis remarked, "In Indian culture, the younger generation does not think this way while elders are still present. This is Mughal culture."

Photo Credit: PTI

Fadnavis was responding to Raut's earlier statement in which he speculated that the real purpose of PM Modi's visit to the RSS headquarters was to inform RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat of his retirement.

"Modi Ji is our leader, and he will continue to serve in the future. Everyone wishes to see Modi Ji as Prime Minister even in 2029. We are not in a position to discuss such matters," Fadnavis added.

Raut claimed that PM Modi had not visited the RSS headquarters since assuming office as Prime Minister, saying, "Perhaps he went to the RSS headquarters to submit his retirement application in September."

Suggesting that the Sangh Parivar has now decided to move beyond Modi, Raut told reporters, "From what I understand, the entire Sangh Parivar is seeking a change in the country's leadership. PM Modi's time is over..."

Notably, PM Modi became the first serving Prime Minister to visit the RSS headquarters in Nagpur on Sunday.

His visit comes at a time when the BJP leadership appears to be strengthening its ties with its ideological parent-working closely with the RSS to achieve strong electoral results in Haryana, Maharashtra, and Delhi-after relations had reportedly strained during the previous Lok Sabha elections.