Shiv Sena (UBT) leader alleges that Prime Minister Modi’s rare visit to the RSS headquarters was to discuss leadership transition; claims successor will be from Maharashtra.
March 31, 2025: In a bold political statement, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Monday claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has “announced his retirement” during a visit to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters in Nagpur. He further asserted that the RSS is planning to appoint Modi’s successor — a leader from Maharashtra.
“PM Modi went to the RSS office to announce his retirement. As per my knowledge, he hasn’t visited the RSS HQ in the last 10–11 years. RSS wants change in leadership. PM Modi is now leaving,” Raut said at a press conference in Mumbai.
Raut went on to say that Modi’s successor has already been discussed behind closed doors and will likely be from Maharashtra, hinting at a significant shift in BJP’s future leadership.
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Congress Echoes Raut’s Statement
Senior Congress leader Husain Dalwai supported Raut’s claims, stating:
“I think what he said is right. Modi is ageing, and the RSS retires people after 75. He must’ve gone to Nagpur to keep them happy.”
He also launched a scathing attack on the RSS, calling it a “terrorist organisation” and accusing it of forming fringe groups like the VHP and Bajrang Dal — a remark likely to draw political and legal pushback.
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PM Modi’s Nagpur Visit: The Official Version
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Nagpur on Sunday and laid the foundation stone of the Madhav Netralaya Premium Centre, an expansion of the eye care institute named after late RSS chief Madhavrao Golwalkar.
He also met RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and praised the Sangh’s contributions:
“The Sangh is the ‘banyan tree’ of India’s immortal culture and modernisation,” Modi said, calling it a symbol of “selfless service.”
According to RSS officials, this was only the second time a sitting Prime Minister visited the RSS HQ. The last instance was in 2000, when Atal Bihari Vajpayee visited Nagpur during his third term.
What This Means Politically
While there has been no official confirmation or response from the BJP or RSS, Raut’s remarks have already stirred the political pot. With Lok Sabha elections on the horizon and growing scrutiny over PM Modi’s succession plans, the statement may trigger speculation — or strategic silence — from the ruling party’s top brass.
Whether this was mere political posturing or an early signal of change remains to be seen.
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Sanjay Raut, PM Modi retirement, RSS headquarters, Narendra Modi Nagpur visit, Shiv Sena UBT, 2025 Lok Sabha politics, RSS leadership change, PM Modi successor, Maharashtra BJP, Madhav Netralaya, RSS news