'It was never decided': What Rajnath Singh said on ‘75 years age rule in BJP’

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Union defence minister Rajnath Singh said that it was never decided that those above 75 years would not contest polls.

Rajnath Singh, the former party president, made the comment in an interview with TOI which was published on May 22, when he was asked there was said to be a party rule that those above 75 years would not contest polls, and the decision was taken when you were party president.

"It was never decided. You can write in bold letters that no such decision was taken… I was party president, and I am saying it forcefully that there was no such decision at all. Had it been decided, it would have been mentioned in the party constitution," said Singh.

The Union Minister further stated that had there been such a decision, senior member L K Advani ji would not have contested the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.

"There were several others above 75 years who contested and won Lok Sabha polls in 2014 and 2019," he added.

On May 11, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had said Modi will retire in accordance with the rules made by him, upon reaching 75 years of age in September 2025.

Following that, Union Home Minister Amit Shah rebuked AAP leader saying he has a bad news for Kejriwal and added, "PM Modi will remain till 2029...even after 2029 PM Modi will lead us."

Meanwhile, reacting to Kejriwal's claim that Modi will pass the baton to Amit Shah, Singh, said that the board has already announced that Modi will be PM.

"Who is he (Kejriwal) to take a decision for BJP? Such a decision can be taken only by the political party concerned… in our case, it is parliamentary board that takes such decisions. The board has already announced that Modi will be PM. In fact, Modi will be PM also in 2029," Singh told TOI.

Singh also rejected a claim that RSS was not actively involved in polls this time.

"There is no basis to it. It’s a wrong narrative. Shows the desperation of our opponents," Singh said.

In an interview published in Indian Express on May 18, BJP president JP Nadda had said that the party's structure has become stronger, and now it runs itself.

When questioned if the BJP needs RSS' support, JP Nadda stated the party has grown and its leaders perform their own duties and roles. He said the RSS is a cultural and social organisation and BJP is a political organisation.

Meanwhile, Rajnath Singh exuded confidence that BJP candidates will win both in Amethi and Raebareli. He also said that his victory margin in Lucknow constituency will cross 5 lakh if turnout improves.