Who After Modi?

(mohsina bano)

On August 26, 2014, the BJP issued a press release announcing that Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Lal Krishna Advani, and Dr. Murli Manohar Joshi, all aged 75 and above, were being respectfully included in the Margdarshak Mandal (Guiding Council). This move indicated that their active political careers were coming to an end. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the 75-year age limit policy was enforced, leading to Advani, Joshi, and Sumitra Mahajan being denied tickets. Now, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi turns 75 this September, discussions around the BJP’s unwritten retirement policy have gained momentum. The biggest question remains: Who will be Modi’s successor?

Who Will Be the Next Face of the BJP?

Will the position go to Yogi Adityanath, the most prominent Hindutva face of the party? Or will it be Nitin Gadkari, who has earned the most praise for his work at the Centre? Or could Rajnath Singh, who has played a significant role in the party’s organizational strength, be the deserving candidate? However, in my opinion, none of these three can truly replace Modi.

Why Not Yogi, Gadkari, or Rajnath?

1. Yogi Adityanath – His hardline Hindutva image is seen as a major obstacle to becoming the next Prime Minister, as it does not align with either the RSS’s vision or the BJP’s national strategy.
2. Nitin Gadkari – Despite his close ties with the RSS, his independent working style does not fit well with the current Modi-Shah-led BJP. Additionally, he lacks the political sharpness needed for election strategies.
3. Rajnath Singh – At 73 years old, he will soon be affected by the party’s unofficial 75-year retirement rule. Moreover, he lacks the charisma and mass appeal that the BJP currently prioritizes in its leadership.

Possibility of New Faces

Could Jyotiraditya Scindia and Himanta Biswa Sarma be in the race? Probably not, because:

• Biswa is influential in the Northeast but does not hold pan-India popularity like Modi.
• Scindia remains limited to Madhya Pradesh and has yet to establish a strong influence within the BJP.
• Both leaders, despite aligning with the party and RSS ideology, still need time to prove their relevance at the national level.

Another name often mentioned is S. Jaishankar, the current Finance Minister.

• He is close to Modi and has an excellent grasp of foreign affairs and administration.
• However, he lacks a mass following and does not have grassroots political experience.
• His limited influence within the BJP and lack of direct public engagement weaken his chances for the top position.

BJP’s Strategy After Modi

Under Modi and Shah’s leadership, the BJP has started promoting new but impactful leaders in states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Delhi. This trend may continue even after Modi. The party and RSS will likely choose a leader who is administratively competent and capable of maintaining the party’s brand and dominance.

Conclusion

So, who after Modi? The answer is still unclear, but one thing is certain—the BJP will choose a leader who can carry forward Modi’s legacy and keep the party’s popularity soaring in the years to come.