“Modi will be PM in 2029…”: Maharashtra CM Fadnavis Dismisses Succession Rumors

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday dismissed speculation surrounding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s political retirement and the subsequent succession dilemma, asserting that Modi will continue to lead the country and is poised to return as Prime Minister even in 2029.

“There is no need to think about a successor. Narendra Modi will be the Prime Minister in 2029. This is not the right time to talk about his successor,” said Fadnavis speaking at the 'India Global Forum' event held at Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai.

The remarks come in response to recent statements made by Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, who last week predicted that PM Modi would retire after turning 75 this year—invoking the BJP’s own unwritten rule of political retirement at that age. Raut had also speculated that Modi’s successor could be from Maharashtra and hinted that Fadnavis may be in contention for the role. “Discussions within the RSS happen behind closed doors. While they don't come out, there are always clear signals. The RSS will decide the next leader, and he may likely be from Maharashtra,” Raut told reporters on March 31.

When asked about Raut naming him as a potential successor, Fadnavis had promptly dismissed the claim on April 1. “There is no question of finding a successor. Modi is our leader and will continue to work for many more years. We see him as the Prime Minister even in 2029,” he said, adding, “In Indian culture, one does not speak of the son while the father is still alive. That’s Mughal culture. Modi is like a father figure to us.”

In a sharp rebuttal, Raut said, “Fadnavis asked who the father is — the country doesn’t have a father. Modi is the Prime Minister, and that is a temporary position.” He further remarked, “This decision won’t be made by Fadnavis. In 2019, his party lost in Maharashtra. In 2024, Modi couldn’t secure a majority on his own in the Lok Sabha. Modi himself created the rule of retirement at 75, which applied to leaders like L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi. Modi will turn 75 in September and will have to follow the same rule.”​