"RSS wants Modi to take exit": JMM General Secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya reacts to Bhagwat's remarks

Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], July 11 (ANI): Referring to Mohan Bhagwat's recent speech, Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) General Secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya on Friday asserted that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) wants Prime Minister to "take an exit" on September 17, which is his birthday.
"Today, the BJP and RSS are exposed. RSS wants Modi to take exit on September 17," Bhattacharya told reporters while addressing a press conference.
In a veiled attack, the JMM General Secretary said that PM Modi "sidelines" leaders in the BJP for vested political interests while appointing 80-year-old Jitan Ram Manjhi as the cabinet minister.
"The one who sidelines leaders in his party for vested political interests, makes an 80-year-old Jitan Ram Manjhi his cabinet minister. For his personal interest, he cites 75 years as the age limit and sends his party's veteran leaders to the Margdarshak mandal. This double standard is not acceptable," Bhattacharya said.
Citing the RSS chief Bhagwat's speech, Bhattacharya suggested that the country was going to witness "big changes" since both the RSS chief and the Prime Minister were going to turn 75.
"RSS Chief and PM are going to turn 75 in September. In the second week of September, the country is going to witness some big changes. Yesterday, the RSS chief said that when someone turns 75, he is felicitated with a shawl and asked to step aside. He stressed that people should step down after turning 75," he said.
"In the past, we have seen that the BJP has set this as a standard, where it set aside veteran leaders from the election process. After September 17, who will be the PM after the country? Because both of them will have to wear the shawl. This is what Mohan Bhagwat has said. I have not added anything to this. If Mohan Bhagwat remains in his post even after turning 75, I will quote him again. He says people don't take him seriously. People laugh when he stands up. Hence, the RSS should clarify this. Hosabale sahab should tell Bhagwat on September 11, while felicitating him, 'Bazu Hat'," he added.
His remarks come after Bhagwat recently said that turning 75 means one should step aside and make way for others. He was speaking at an event in Nagpur.
The remark has prompted opposition politicians to question its implications for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who, like Bhagwat, turns 75 this September. (ANI)