As Prime Minister Narendra Modi approaches his 74th birthday on September 17th, former union minister and senior BJP leader Subramanian Swamy has launched a stinging attack on the Prime Minister. Swamy, known for his outspoken views and frequent criticism of the Modi government, took to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to make bold statements regarding Modi's future in office.
Swamy's statement hints at a potential challenge to Modi's leadership if he does not step down at the age of 75, in line with what Swamy claims is a commitment to the "RSS Pracharak?s sanskaar" (cultural values). "If Modi does not, as committed to RSS Pracharak?s sanskaar, announce his retiring to Marg Darshan Mandal after his 75th year birthday on September 17th, then he will lose his PM chair by other methods," Swamy tweeted, signaling possible internal challenges or other political maneuvers that could impact Modi's tenure.
This is not the first time Swamy has publicly criticized the Modi government. Just last week, Swamy lambasted the government over its claims of GDP growth, labeling it as "a fraud on the public." He pointed out that the average GDP growth since 2014 has been around 5% per year, dropping further to 3.7% per year since 2016, challenging the government's economic performance claims.
While Swamy?s attacks are often directed at Modi and his policies, he has also recently targeted the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. Swamy has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court seeking the cancellation of Rahul Gandhi's Indian citizenship, alleging that Gandhi holds British citizenship. The court has now transferred this case to a double bench for a final hearing later this month.
The timing of Swamy's comments coincides with ongoing debates within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) regarding the unwritten rule that leaders should step down from key positions upon turning 75. While this rule has seen several senior leaders being sidelined, there have been notable exceptions, such as Karnataka?s former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, who continued in his role despite crossing the age threshold.
Also Read: Government Withdraws Controversial Lateral Entry Advertisement After PM Modi?s Directive
In the past, during an election rally, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had speculated that Modi would retire after turning 75 and that Home Minister Amit Shah would succeed him. However, Amit Shah dismissed these claims, stating that there is no such provision in the BJP's constitution and reaffirming that Modi would continue to lead the country.
As Prime Minister Modi approaches this symbolic age, the political landscape within the BJP and the country at large remains closely watched. Swamy's remarks add another layer of intrigue to the ongoing discussions about Modi's future and the direction of the BJP.
