Summarize

Simplifying... Inshort

During a recent rally in Odisha, BJP leader Amit Shah suggested that Biju Janata Dal leader Naveen Patnaik should retire, promising a young Odia-speaking leader if BJP wins.
This sparked a response from Congress veteran Chidambaram, who questioned if Shah was hinting at PM Modi's retirement.
Earlier, Shah had refuted claims that Modi's 75th birthday in 2025 would mark his last day in office, insisting that there's no age limit for Modi's tenure as PM.

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Congress reacts to Amit Shah's statement on Naveen Patnaik

Congress takes a dig at Shah's retirement advice to Patnaik

By Tanya Shrivastava

May 22, 2024

01:24 pm

What's the story

The Congress on Wednesday reacted to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statement advising Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik (77) to retire due to his "advanced age and health issues." Congress leader P Chidambaram jibed at Shah, asking whether his statement was indirectly aimed at 73-year-old Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This follows Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's repeated remarks that PM Modi will retire from politics after turning 75 in 2025, in line with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s rules.

Leadership promise

Shah promises young leadership and job fillings

On Tuesday, while addressing a poll rally in Odisha—which will witness simultaneous polling for Lok Sabha and assembly elections on May 25—Shah said the ongoing polls are to secure Modi's third term as PM and restore Odisha's stature, which has been "destroyed" by the Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal government. Shah promised that if the BJP comes to power in the state, a young Odia-speaking "bhumiputra" would be appointed as the CM. "Naveen babu is not keeping well," he added.

Chidambaram's response

Congress veteran Chidambaram responds to Shah's comments

Reacting to Shah's statement, former Union Minister Chidambaram posted on X, "When Mr Amit Shah said that Mr Naveen Patnaik should retire...was he throwing a hint to Mr Narendra Modi" "It seems that Mr Amit Shah will be the happiest person if the BJP did not form the government and he, not Mr Modi, will sit as the Leader of the Opposition!" he added.

Twitter Post

Read Chidambaram's post here

When Mr Amit Shah said that Mr Naveen Patnaik should retire because of "advanced age" (77 years) was he throwing a hint to Mr Narendra Modi (73 years, 7 months) -- in case the BJP formed the government?

It seems that Mr Amit Shah will be the happiest person if the BJP did not…

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) May 22, 2024

Shah in Hyderabad

'Even if Modi turns 75, he will become PM': Shah

To recall, earlier this month, Shah said that Modi will become the PM of the country again. His remark came in response to Kejriwal's claim that September 17, 2025 (PM Modi's 75 birthday) will be his last day in office. "I want to tell Arvind Kejriwal and...[Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance]...there is no need to be happy about Modiji turning 75. It isn't written in the Constitution of the BJP that Modiji cannot become PM," he had said in Hyderabad.