Bengaluru / New Delhi: Amid growing political chatter ahead of 2025, Congress has latched onto RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s remark that leaders should step aside after the age of 75, linking it to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who turns 75 this September 17.
Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge took a sharp jab on X (formerly Twitter), posting a graphic of Bhagwat with the “retirement age” quote and captioning it:
Now you know who is calling the shots in the Government.
— Priyank Kharge / ಪ್ರಿಯಾಂಕ್ ಖರ್ಗೆ (@PriyankKharge) July 12, 2025
September Kranti is around the corner? pic.twitter.com/AzYMSNdDhW
“Now you know who is calling the shots in the Government. September Kranti is around the corner?”
While Bhagwat didn’t name anyone directly, the timing and context have triggered intense speculation, given Modi’s own past endorsement of a 75-year age cap in politics.
🗣️ Congress Ramps Up Attacks
Congress MP Jairam Ramesh joined the fray, tweeting:
“Poor, award-winning Prime Minister! What a homecoming – reminded by the RSS chief upon return that he will turn 75 on September 17, 2025. But the Prime Minister could also tell the RSS chief that he, too, will turn 75 on September 11, 2025! One arrow, two targets!”
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera added that Bhagwat’s comment was “good news”, as both Modi and Bhagwat approach the age of retirement:
“The duo has affected the spirit of this country. Good times for the Constitution and the country will come as both are leaving.”
Earlier, Priyank Kharge, clarifying the party’s position, said:
“We are not targeting the PM’s age. We are questioning his contribution. But he himself has earlier said that 75 should be the cutoff age. Now, people are asking: will he move to the ‘Margdarshak Mandal’?”
📌 Background:
The Margdarshak Mandal (Guiding Council), often seen as a symbolic “retirement home” for senior BJP leaders, was referenced by Modi himself in the past when other senior party leaders turned 75.
Now, with Modi approaching that milestone in September 2025, the question of whether he will follow his own rule—or continue to lead—has become a hot political talking point.