'People will decide...': BJP's sharp response after Opposition leaders react to Mohan Bhagwat's 75 age limit remark

Chandrashekhar Bawankule

After Shiv Sena's Sanjay Raut and other Opposition leaders from various parties reacted to RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat's 75 age-limit remarks, Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule told reporters that there was no rule in the BJP about retirement at 75.

"Sanjay Raut is no one to decide how long the Prime Minister should serve — the people of the country will decide that," he said.

"When you turn 75, it means you should stop now and make way for others," Bhagwat said speaking at a book release event dedicated to late RSS ideologue Moropant Pingle in Nagpur on Wednesday.

"Moropant Pingle once said that if you are honoured with a shawl after turning 75, it means that you should stop now, you are old; step aside and let others come in," Bhagwat said recalling Pingle's humourous nature, but added that despite his devotion to serving the nation, Pingle believed in withdrawing gracefully when it was time.

While reacting to Bhagwat's comments, Sanjay Raut said, "PM Modi forced leaders like LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, and Jaswant Singh to retire after they turned 75. Let’s see if he applies the same rule to himself now.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said that it was important for the Sangh and the BJP to practice what they preach. "Preaching without practice is always dangerous. It is unprincipled that the Margdarshak Mandal was given compulsory retirement applying the 75 years age limit but indications are clear that current dispensation will be exempted from this rule," Singhvi said.