Recent statements from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders including Home Minister Amit Shah have been clarifying that there is no party policy of retirement at 75. The discussion has been triggered as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to turn 75 in September 2025. This article explores whether the BJP has a formal retirement age policy and what is the party’s stance on Modi’s leadership.
Background
The question of retirement age in the BJP arose from a practice observed since 2014 where some leaders over 75 stepped down from ministerial posts or were not fielded as election candidates. This led to claims from opposition leaders like Aam Aadmi Party’s Arvind Kejriwal that the BJP has a retirement rule at 75 which might apply to Modi.
BJP’s Official Stand
BJP leaders have said that there is no provision in the party’s constitution that mandates retirement at 75. Home Minister Amit Shah in May 2024 said, “There is no such provision in BJP’s constitution,” and added that Modi will lead the party and government beyond 2025, potentially till 2029. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, a former BJP president, supported this saying that there is no decision to bar leaders over 75 from contesting elections in the party’s records. The BJP’s constitution, available in public domain, has no clauses for age limit for leadership or electoral roles.
Historical Practice
Since 2014, the BJP has followed a practice where leaders over 75 often step down from ministerial or key administrative posts. Examples:
- Anandiben Patel, who resigned as Gujarat Chief Minister in 2016 as she was about to turn 75.
- Najma Heptulla, who stepped down as Union Minister in 2016 at 76.
- L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi, who were not fielded as candidates in 2019 Lok Sabha elections and joined the Margdarshak Mandal, an advisory body.
But this practice has not been uniform. For instance L.K. Advani contested 2014 elections at 86 and exceptions were made for leaders like B.S. Yeddyurappa in 2019 due to their political significance. These cases suggest 75 is a guideline not a rule.Opposition leaders are pointing to the BJP’s past practices to question if Modi will retire at 75. In May 2024, Kejriwal cited Advani, Joshi and others to suggest that Modi’s continuation would be an exception to the rule. The BJP has dismissed these claims saying they are trying to mislead the public.
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Current Situation
BJP has declared Modi as its leader for 2024 elections and beyond, Shah said Modi will “lead the coming elections”. There is no formal retirement policy in the party’s constitution which means Modi will be active in politics beyond 75.
Conclusion
While the BJP does not have a formal retirement policy requiring leaders to retire from active political roles at the age of 75, it is indicated in the party’s constitution and through comments by senior party leaders. The party did have a practice of not appointing leaders over 75 into ministerial roles, but this was not firm policy, nor was there strict application as demonstrated with exceptions made. In all probability, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead past September 2025.
