'Good Work': Karnataka Congress MLA Endorses Gadkari For PM If Modi Retires At 75, Cites RSS Chief Bhagwat's Remarks

Karnataka Congress MLA Belur Gopalakrishna has proposed Union Minister Nitin Gadkari as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s successor if Modi steps down after turning 75, citing RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s recent remark on age limits for leaders, reported The Indian Express.

Bhagwat, speaking at an event in Nagpur on Wednesday (9 July), had referred to Sangh ideologue Moropant Pingley’s principle of stepping aside at 75.

“Gadkari should be the next Prime Minister of the country, the reason is Gadkari is with the common man. He has done good work for the development of the country, in terms of highways and other things. The people of the country know his service and the kind of person he is,” Gopalakrishna told reporters on Saturday (12 July).

He highlighted a statement reportedly made by Gadkari expressing concern for the poor while noting the widening gap between rich and poor.

“Considering this, it comes across that he has a concept (for development of the country) and such people should be made (the PM). Mohan Bhagwat has indicated that those who have turned 75 years of age will have to step down, so I feel that time has come for Gadkari,” he added.

Pointing to BJP’s treatment of veteran leader B S Yediyurappa, who resigned as Karnataka’s chief minister after turning 75, Gopalakrishna questioned the double standard.

“The BJP’s sinners made him (Yediyurappa) resign with tears in his eyes... Why different treatment to Modi ji? Wasn’t it under Modi’s instruction Yediyurappa was made to step down?”

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