BHAGWAT'S BROAD HINT

RSS sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat may have gently lobbed a saffron-tinted grenade among the Sangh ranks.

- SIDDHANT JUMDE

“Those in public life should step aside after 75,” said the Sangh supremo, who himself hits the mark this September. Sangh-watchers are already reading deep into the tea leaves. Was it self-reflection or a veiled dig at others overstaying their political welcome? Only two previous RSS chiefs—M.D. Deoras and K.S. Sudarshan—have voluntarily stepped down, both due to health issues. Bhagwat, on the other hand, is fighting fit. If he does exit on schedule, it would be a first in Nagpur’s no-retiring-till-dotage tradition. More importantly, it will make matters a little shifty for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who also hits the same age milestone in September. Nagpur is vague. Delhi is silent. But the whispers are getting louder.

SPIRITUAL COEXISTENCE