we are going to be working for several years to come to Power : PM Modi

Those who were writing the imminent political obituary of Prime Minister Narendra Modi may have to wait not just a few years, but a decade. In his recent Motion of Thanks speech in the Budget session, the PM casually slipped in a loaded line.

“In 2047, when the country celebrates 100 years of Independence, we would definitely be Viksit Bharat — this is the dream we are going forward with. I say this with confidence, this is just our third term. In line with the needs of the country, to make it a modern and capable India and to realise the resolve for Viksit Bharat, we are going to be working for several years to come,” he said 

Modi is not a man who serves his term, packs off his bags, and walks into the dense, forgetful mist of time. He exudes the energy of a man who wants to leave a firm imprint in history, and get enough time to work towards that.

He has indicated quite a few times that he takes decisions and actions thinking 1,000 years ahead. “And I am saying this again today. There have been incidents which compelled us to live… in the last 1000 years,” he said in an interview in September, 2024. “What’s happening now will take India towards a brighter future for the coming 1,000 years. India is preparing a base for the next 1,000 years and not focusing on just reaching the top, but to sustain at that position. In my mind, it is clear that this is our time. This is Bharat’s time and we must not lose the opportunity.”

There has been speculation on whether Modi will continue to lead the country after he turns 75 in September this year. But both Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP president JP Nadda clarified that there was no rule in the party’s constitution about retiring at 75.