Congress MLA Endorses Nitin Gadkari as PM Candidate, Citing RSS Chief’s ‘75 Years’ Remark

Mangalore Today News Network

Shivamogga, July 13, 2025: Sagar Congress MLA Belur Gopalakrishna on Saturday stirred political waters by backing Union Minister Nitin Gadkari as a potential Prime Ministerial candidate, in response to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat’s recent statement that leaders above the age of 75 should step down from power.

Gopalakrishna welcomed Bhagwat’s remarks, stating that if Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who recently turned 74, abides by the RSS chief’s advice, the BJP should consider a leadership change in the near future. He proposed Nitin Gadkari as the right choice to succeed Modi, describing the senior minister as someone genuinely concerned about the well-being of the common people.

“BJP’s own people forced former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa to resign with tears in his eyes after he turned 75. Now they must walk the talk and apply the same principle to the Prime Minister’s post,” Gopalakrishna told reporters in Shivamogga.

Criticising the growing economic disparity in the country, the Congress leader said, “The rich are getting richer, and the poor are struggling. Gadkari recently acknowledged this by stating that the country’s wealth is being cornered by a few. Such honesty and concern for the masses make him a deserving candidate for the Prime Minister’s role.”

He further suggested that the BJP high command should take Bhagwat’s message seriously and begin considering a new leadership roadmap. “If they truly believe in the ideology of the RSS, then they should act on the advice without bias,” he added.

Mohan Bhagwat’s comment, made earlier this week, has triggered debates across the political spectrum about generational leadership transitions within the BJP. While the party has not officially responded, Gopalakrishna’s endorsement of Gadkari signals that discussions around succession could intensify ahead of the 2029 general elections.