Will Bhagwat’s remark reshape BJP’s future in Manipur?

The recent comment by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat — suggesting that leaders should step aside at the age of 75 — may appear subtle and philosophical on the surface, but its implications are politically loaded and far-reaching. While the national spotlight is currently fixed on how this statement might affect Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who turns 75 this September, the ripple effects of such a remark may also travel to the BJP’s state units, particularly in fragile and conflict-ridden regions like Manipur.
In Manipur, the BJP finds itself in a paradox. On one hand, the party holds an absolute majority in the State Legislative Assembly. On the other, it has witnessed a sharp decline in public confidence, reflected in the Lok Sabha elections where both the Inner and Outer Manipur parliamentary seats were lost. This backlash is directly linked to the public perception that the BJP-led central government has failed to effectively address or resolve the deep ethnic divide and violence that began on May 3, 2023, between the Meitei and Kuki communities.
Throughout this crisis, BJP MLAs in Manipur have largely remained silent, refusing to confront or question the central leadership. Even after the imposition of President’s Rule in the state, and despite widespread protests and civil unrest, no BJP MLA has resigned or openly expressed dissent. Their unwavering loyalty to Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah has appeared less like party discipline and more like dependence — a dangerous posture for any regional political unit.
This is precisely where Bhagwat’s remark begins to matter. His subtle but pointed nudge regarding the “75-year rule” — once invoked to edge out senior leaders like L.K. Advani and Murli Manohar Joshi — is now boomeranging toward Modi himself. The remark signals a moment of reckoning not only for the central leadership but also for state units like Manipur that have tied their political identity and survival entirely to Modi’s image.
Should a transition of leadership begin at the Centre — whether voluntary or forced — it would almost certainly unsettle the political equation in Manipur. The BJP in the state lacks a strong, independent leadership rooted in regional issues. Its rise to power was not driven by charismatic local leaders or deep ideological resonance, but rather by the appeal of Modi and the resources of the central BJP-RSS network. If that centre begins to wobble, the state unit could face a legitimacy crisis.
Moreover, Bhagwat’s remarks hint at a broader discomfort within the RSS about being reduced to a symbolic partner in the BJP’s power structure. For years, the RSS played an instrumental role in mobilizing cadres, shaping narratives, and lending moral and ideological weight to the BJP. However, Modi’s hyper-centralized style of governance has marginalized these traditional structures, replacing them with a top-down, personality-driven model.
In Manipur’s context, this disconnect becomes even more dangerous. The Sangh has a presence in Manipur, albeit more subdued than in Hindi heartland states, and any signal of disengagement from the RSS could mean a withdrawal of grassroots ideological and organizational support. Without it, the BJP would struggle to counter growing anti-incumbency sentiments, especially as its local leaders continue to appear aloof from the suffering and concerns of the people.
In the short term, Bhagwat’s statement may not trigger an immediate shift in the BJP’s fortunes in Manipur. But it has planted a seed of uncertainty — about leadership succession, about ideological coherence, and about the party’s future direction. For a state still grappling with instability and division, such ambiguity at the top can have destabilizing effects.
Ultimately, the BJP’s future in Manipur will depend on whether it can evolve beyond central dependence and build a responsive, locally grounded leadership. If it fails to do so — and continues to remain an echo chamber for Delhi — Bhagwat’s remark may well mark the beginning of the end of BJP’s dominance in the state.