'Modi will be PM again': Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis puts an end to successor reports

NEW DELHI: Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday said that Narendra Modi would continue to remain the prime minister even in 2029, putting an end to successor reports.

"I have said that it is not the right time to think of a successor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, because, in 2029, Modi will be prime minister again," Fadnavis said speaking at the India Global Forum in Mumbai.

This came after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut had commented on PM Modi's meet with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat, claiming that RSS would pick his successor.

Raut had suggested that PM Modi might have visited the RSS headquarters on March 30 to "write his retirement application in September," implying that some BJP leaders retire upon reaching the age of 75. PM Modi will turn 75 this year.

"It appears that Modi's heir will be decided by the RSS which is why Modi was called (to the RSS headquarters) and discussions took place. Sangh's discussions are held behind closed doors. The indications are very clear. The Sangh will decide the next leader and that leader could be from Maharashtra," he had said.

Fadnavis had then reacted saying, "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".

The prime minister, accompanied by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, Union minister Nitin Gadkari, and Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, visited the RSS headquarters and paid tribute to RSS founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar at Smruti Mandir in Reshimbagh.