Who after Narendra Modi? Decision to be taken by PM, BJP: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat

Chennai: Refusing to be drawn into the debate on the successor of Narendra Modi, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Wednesday said it was for the prime minister and BJP to deliberate and decide on the issue.
Bhagwat made the remarks in response to a question at an event in Chennai on Tuesday.

Speaking at RSS 100 Years: Saga of RSS Envisioning The Way Forward, he said, “Certain questions are out of my purview. So, I don’t have any say in them. I can only wish well and nothing else. Who after Modi ji? That is for the BJP and Modi ji to decide,” Bhagwat said.

Bhagwat’s remarks assume significance as this is the second time in four months that he has expressed his unwillingness to comment on issues relating to the 'unwritten rule' in the BJP of retirement on turning 75 and who, after Modi.

In August, Bhagwat had said he never advocated that neither he nor anyone should retire at the age of 75, clarifying remarks made earlier 'in a different context'.

The debate around retirement assumed significance since Modi turned 75 this September – the BJP made it clear that there is no rule in the party that says one should retire at a particular age.

During the course of his interaction, the RSS chief said there is a general consensus among people and the judiciary that temple management should be handled by devotees, in a deviation from the current practice of it being administered by the government.

“Some temples are managed well by private individuals, some are not. Same way, some temples are managed well by governments, some are not. The need of the hour is an apparatus — an all-India committee, provincial committee, district committee, and local committee — to deal with this issue,” Bhagwat said.

Once the apparatus is ready, all questions regarding temples being managed by devotees, not the government, will be answered. “There is a general consensus. But we have to work more,” he added.

To another question on instilling nationalistic feeling among Tamil youth, Bhagwat said there was 'no misunderstanding' among youth in the state over nationalism and RSS.

“Once they are exposed to our work, all misconceptions are dispelled. Everything will evaporate within two days of them learning about our work. We have to give them an opportunity to see from within. All we have to do is create the right atmosphere for TN youth to express their nationalistic feelings by breaking the artificial barriers,” he added.