New Delhi, Sep.17,2025: PM Modi 75 years old — this milestone has reignited a long-standing debate within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): should leaders retire from active politics once they cross the age of 75-
The question has hovered over the party for more than a decade. Now, as India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi enters his 75th year, speculation has once again intensified. Will this mark the beginning of his political retirement, or will the rule be bent — or even buried — for the party’s most powerful leader?
Origins of BJP’s 75-Year Rule
The so-called “75-year retirement rule” was never officially written into BJP’s constitution. Instead, it emerged before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, when Narendra Modi was being projected as the prime ministerial candidate.
Senior leaders such as L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi were seen as obstacles to a fresh leadership push. To sideline them without direct confrontation, a narrative was floated: leaders above 75 should step aside for the next generation.
This unwritten principle gave Modi greater freedom to consolidate his leadership without interference from party elders.
Was the Rule Ever Official
Veteran journalist D.K. Singh has clarified that BJP never formally declared this as policy. It was communicated “off the record” to journalists by party insiders, creating an atmosphere of inevitability.
In 2014, leaders such as Advani and Joshi were moved to a symbolic ‘Margdarshak Mandal’ (guidance board), which has reportedly never held a single meeting.
In 2016, then Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel cited the age factor while stepping down. Her resignation reinforced the perception that BJP had institutionalized a retirement age. However, in practice, the application of this guideline has been inconsistent.
Key Leaders Affected by the Age Guideline
Several high-profile leaders were impacted:
- L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi were sidelined post-2014.
- Najma Heptulla and Kalraj Mishra were moved from Union Cabinet to gubernatorial positions.
- B.S. Yediyurappa stepped down as Karnataka Chief Minister at 78.
- Yashwant Sinha accused Modi of declaring senior leaders “brain dead” after 2014.
Yet, exceptions remained. Many leaders above 75 continued to play roles in elections or advisory capacities, highlighting selective enforcement.
Amit Shah and BJP’s Clarification
Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently dismissed any speculation about Modi stepping aside at 75.
“This is nowhere in BJP’s constitution. Modi ji will complete his term and continue leading the country,” Shah said.
This statement suggests that PM Modi 75 years old does not automatically trigger retirement. Instead, political utility and leadership strength dictate whether a leader continues or not.
Mohan Bhagwat’s Statement and Its Ripple Effects
In July, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat recalled an anecdote involving senior leader Moropant Pingale, who joked that being honored at 75 implied “it’s time to step aside.”
The remark was widely interpreted as a veiled reference to Modi. However, Bhagwat later clarified he was not speaking about the Prime Minister. Interestingly, Bhagwat himself turned 75 this year, adding another layer of intrigue.
Analysts’ Views on BJP’s Retirement Culture
- Aditi Phadnis, senior journalist, calls the 75-year rule more of a signal than a strict rule, applied when convenient.
- Sunil Gatade describes it as a “soft guideline”, used to respectfully sideline veterans while promoting younger faces.
- D.K. Singh emphasizes BJP’s organizational culture of renewal, pointing out how Atal Bihari Vajpayee once nurtured younger leaders like Arun Jaitley and Ravi Shankar Prasad.
These insights suggest that BJP values generational transition but avoids binding itself with rigid rules.
Internal Party Perspectives
Within BJP, opinions remain divided:
- Some argue for a defined retirement age to ensure genuine opportunities for younger leaders.
- Others believe performance and relevance, not age, should determine a leader’s continuation.
A former BJP MP noted that several leaders above 75 were still given election tickets due to their popularity. This proves the guideline was selectively applied rather than universally enforced.
What This Means for Narendra Modi
For PM Modi 75 years old, the debate is more symbolic than practical. Unlike other leaders, Modi remains the undisputed face of BJP and enjoys unparalleled public support.
Experts suggest that rules in BJP often do not apply to the top leadership. Modi’s central role in the 2024 elections and beyond makes it unlikely that the party would risk enforcing such a norm against him.
Will the BJP Retirement Debate Ever End
Analysts argue the “retirement age” discussion was never an actual internal debate but rather a political tool used selectively.
As Aditi Phadnis puts it:
“This was never a genuine issue and will never be. It’s a manufactured debate, applied only when needed.”
With PM Modi 75 years old, BJP is unlikely to formally end or enforce this rule. Instead, it will continue to adapt pragmatically, balancing respect for seniors with the push for younger faces.
The fact that PM Modi is 75 years old has stirred speculation but not altered the BJP’s course. The so-called retirement rule was always more of a narrative than a reality.
As Amit Shah made clear, Modi will continue to lead both party and country beyond this milestone. In essence, the BJP’s retirement debate may never truly end—it will keep resurfacing whenever political circumstances demand.
