'When father's alive ...': Fadnavis counters Sanjay Raut's jibe, says Modi will remain PM beyond 2029

Waqf refers to property—both moveable and immovable—that is permanently dedicated by Muslims for religious or charitable purposes.

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday shut down critics suggesting that Narendra Modi will retire after his third term and asserted that the Prime Minister will continue to serve even beyond 2029.

"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 at the India Global Forum in Mumbai.

His remark came in response to Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut's claim last month that PM Modi visited Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters in Nagpur to convey the message that he is “retiring”.

Taking a dig at PM Modi, who turns 75 in September this year, Raut had said that the Prime Minister visited the RSS headquarters to write his "retirement application".

“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,” the Rajya Sabha member had claimed.

In a strong response to Raut, Fadnavis said that in the Hindu culture, there is no talk of succession when the "father is alive".

"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," Fadnavis said, repeating a similar remark he made earlier.

Senior RSS leader Suresh Bhaiyyaji’ Joshi had said he was unaware of any talk of (PM’s) replacement.