Amid PM Modi’s retirement buzz, Yogi Adityanath on his future.
On Tuesday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath addressed growing speculations regarding his political future, particularly in the wake of discussions about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s possible retirement. When questioned about public opinion favoring him as a future prime minister, Adityanath clarified that he does not consider politics his lifelong career.
“I am serving as the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh because the party has entrusted me with this responsibility for the people. However, politics is not my full-time profession. At present, I am dedicated to my duties, but deep down, I remain a Yogi,” he told
Keeping his future political aspirations open-ended, he added, “As long as I am here, I will continue working… but this role, too, has a time limit.”
His statements came after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut claimed that the RSS, the ideological foundation of the BJP, wanted PM Modi to retire by September to facilitate a leadership transition. Raut also alleged that during Modi’s visit to the RSS headquarters in Nagpur, he was reminded of the “75-year norm,” an unwritten retirement guideline followed by some senior BJP leaders. With Modi turning 75 this September and currently serving his third term, these comments further fueled debates about a potential leadership shift.
However, the BJP and RSS dismissed such speculations. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis even asserted, “In 2029, we will see Modi ji as the Prime Minister once again.”
Addressing rumors of a rift with the BJP leadership, Adityanath denied any discord. “Why would there be differences? I am here because of the party. Could I continue in this position if I had conflicts with central leaders?” he remarked. He also explained the party’s ticket distribution process, emphasizing that “The parliamentary board oversees this, ensuring all decisions go through proper discussions and evaluations.”
Yogi Adityanath has been leading Uttar Pradesh for nine years across two consecutive terms, making him the state’s longest-serving Chief Minister. His tenure has been characterized by a focus on law and order, Hindutva policies, economic growth, and welfare programs. His government has also been known for its strict measures, such as demolishing properties linked to alleged criminals and police encounters. Significant milestones under his leadership include the grand opening of the Ram temple in Ayodhya and the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, which attracted a record 66 crore devotees.
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Despite these efforts, the BJP suffered losses in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh, securing only 33 seats—29 fewer than in 2019. This decline has led to speculation about internal party differences and a possible growing gap between Adityanath and the BJP’s central leadership.
