Prime Minister Narendra Modi, amid Lok Sabha election engagements, addressed speculations about his retirement on Tuesday, sparked by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's claims.
As per Times of India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the people of the country were his successors as he did not have any other successor.
Earlier, Kejriwal claimed that Modi will retire next year, and Amit Shah would be his successor when the Prime Minister turns 75 next year.
Attacking the BJP, Kejriwal had said, "These people ask INDIA bloc about their (PM) face. I ask BJP who will be their PM? Modi ji is turning 75 on September 17 next year. He had made the rule that people aged 75 will be retired. They retired LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi, Sumitra Mahajan."
He further added, "He (Modi) will retire next year. He is seeking votes for making Amit Shah the prime minister. Will Shah fulfill Modiji's guarantee?"
Following these reports, Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah strongly rejected Kejriwal's claims, stating, "I would like to tell Arvind Kejriwal and company and the whole India alliance, Modi becomes 75, there is no need for you to feel happy. It is not written anywhere in BJP's constitution. Modi will complete the term and will continue to lead the country. There is no confusion in BJP on this."
Afterwards, responding to the speculation, Modi emphasised his bond with the people of India at an election rally in Bihar, stating, "Modi is a person who does not have any personal 'virasat' (legacy). For me, you are my legacy, you are my successors. I don't have any other successor. So, I have to work very hard to ensure a bright future for you and your children."
He further added, "I don't want that your next generation should face the problems that you have experienced in your lifetime."
This isn't the first time Modi has aligned himself with the people. He has consistently referred to the citizens as his family in various speeches.
His Lok Sabha campaign has notably focused on criticizing dynasty politics in opposition parties, with Modi condemning family-based politics and attributing national issues to it.
In a strategic move, Modi has frequently employed the term "parivarjan" (members of the family) to address the public, countering allegations of "parivarvaad" (dynastic politics) against his opponents.
