Congress’ Jairam Ramesh takes dig at PM Modi after RSS chief’s retirement age remarks

NEW DELHI: Congress Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh on Friday criticisized Prime Minister Narendra Modi over Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat’s remarks concerning leaders stepping aside at the age of 75 to allow for fresh leadership.

In a post on X, Ramesh, who is the General Secretary in charge of Communications for Congress, claimed that the RSS chief’s remark is a veiled message to PM Modi, who will turn 75 later this year. “Poor, award-winning Prime Minister! What a homecoming – reminded by the RSS chief upon return that he will turn 75 on September 17, 2025”, Ramesh said.

“But the Prime Minister could also tell the RSS chief that he, too, will turn 75 on September 11, 2025! One arrow, two targets!” he added.

बेचारे अवार्ड-जीवी प्रधानमंत्री! कैसी घर वापसी है ये- लौटते ही सरसंघचालक के द्वारा याद दिला दिया गया कि 17 सितंबर 2025 को वे 75 साल के हो जाएंगे।

लेकिन प्रधानमंत्री सरसंघचालक से भी कह सकते हैं कि -वे भी तो 11 सितंबर 2025 को 75 के हो जाएंगे!

एक तीर, दो निशाने!

— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) July 11, 2025

The post followed comments reportedly made in Nagpur at an event in which the RSS chief said that turning 75 means one should stop and make way for others. The remark has prompted opposition politicians to question its implications for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who, like Bhagwat, turns 75 this September.

A day earlier, Jairam Ramesh had called Prime Minister Narendra Modi, “Super Premium Frequent Flier PM”, as he returned to Delhi after concluding a five-nation visit that spanned from July 2 to 9. The Congress leader wrote, “India welcomes back its Super Premium Frequent Flier PM, who is expected to be in the country for perhaps three weeks before jetting around again.”

He urged PM Modi to address several issues of the country, starting with Congress’s foremost demand of the PM’s visit to Manipur. He also asked the PM to review the issue related to the Pahalgam terrorist attack and yesterday’s bridge collapse in Vadodara.

Jairam Ramesh also suggested that the PM can chair an all-party meeting to firm up the agenda for the forthcoming monsoon session of Parliament. (ANI)