Much speculation has begun doing the rounds in national political circles about a possible replacement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who will complete 75 years in the coming September -- particularly after Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Dr. Mohan Bhagwat hinted about such retirements in the RSS ecosystem, at a book release function in Nagpur. - A speculative statement by a political observer on a recent television show. THE shallowness of such -- and all such comments at any place and by anybody -- is obvious. Those who indulge in such speculations may have their own business doing so. Yet, it is obvious that all such speculations have little merit -- given the current political and socio-cultural conditions in the country. No matter whose names get mentioned in the speculative discussions on any platform, it is obvious the people who are running the country so successfully for the past some time will never allow any shallow consideration to outweigh their thought-process.

 

They know it well that it is just unthinkable that at the peak of his popularity and all-round performance Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi can be made to step down just because he would be 75 years old on September 17, 2025. And by a similar token, a few other important persons in critical positions, too, would have to step down ! Does that really make any sense ? -- is the main question. True, some guidelines are made available for general use in organisations and institutions. those guidelines generally are followed, too. But when institutions are created for higher purposes, they operate on principles of exigency, and not hard rules. Unfortunately, this logic is forgotten by many who love indulging in senseless speculations, whose goals are never clear.

 

The current wave of speculations in the national media about the retirement of Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi unfortunately falls in that category -- not backed by logic and exigency and practical reality. There is a lobby of speculators in India -- in politics and elsewhere -- with much interest in loose talk that is all the time raising issues that actually make little practical sense. Apply any yardstick to measure the performance of Mr. Narendra Modi -- political, organisational, philosophical, cultural, personal, national, international -- and there would be only one response -- Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi has impeccable credentials in every which the way, in every which the manner, by every which the definitions. If that is the reality -- as supported by facts, figures and fables -- then what logic do we have to think purely speculatively about replacing the man who is considered not just as a politician but also as a national phenomenon with a spiritual dimension ?

 

For the past decade--plus years, Mr. Modi has been rated as the most popular international leader -- not by his political hangers-on but by international rating agencies! For the past one decade and more, Mr. Narendra Modi has been considered a top global statesman of impeccable diplomatic credentials and phenomenal personal influence among top leaders of the world! In the past ten years, India’s national economy has risen from the 11th global position to a creditable 4th position -- led by Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi! During this period, India’s strategic importance has risen by many notches and is being admired by friends and foes alike! This man -- Mr. Narendrabhai Damordas Modi -- has not taken even a day’s leave in the past 23 years! He does not own any personal property! He does not have anybody from his family occupying positions of interest that would conflict with his official position! Howsoever they might have tried, the opponents could find not a single issue to point to wrong practices by the man! In politics, the political party he has been leading has been on a rising trajectory all along. It did face political reverses, as well, but rose from its own problems to offer the nation a role model to follow! With all these plus points and virtues, Mr. Narendra Modi is proving to be a leader the nation feels blessed to have had -- at a right time.

 

And everybody and anybody in the eco-system of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the country knows all these facts and figures correctly and from a correct perspective. If this is the reality -- having been proved by any and every definition -- then where is and what is the logic behind running speculative campaigns about replacement of Mr. Narendra Modi as Prime Minister only because he wold be 75 in the next 7-8 weeks ? There is no logic in such a shallow speculation and the RSS leadership is not so immature to even entertain the thought. An institution whose mandate it is to think about lifting India to great heights is certainly blessed with mature leadership that knows what is best for the country in the short and the long term. That leadership -- as well as the entire Indian nation -- knows that Mr. Narendra Modi is not just a political happenstance, but a phenomenon divined by Destiny. Seen in this light, the Indian nation would never entertain cheap logic and shallow speculation in this regard.