Overview
- In a clip shared by Union commerce minister Piyush Goyal, Narendra Modi recounts replying "25 are still remaining" when told he had completed 75 years.
- Speaking with students at Pariksha Pe Charcha, he said he counts the years ahead rather than those already passed.
- The comment renewed scrutiny of the BJP’s past practice of moving seniors aside after 75, including into the Margdarshak Mandal advisory body.
- Earlier remarks by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat about a 75-as-retirement witticism had drawn opposition questions, and the RSS later said it was a joke rather than an instruction.
- BJP leaders including Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh have said the party has no retirement clause, and senior figures have indicated Modi could again be the NDA’s prime ministerial face in 2029, when he would be 79.