Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 7: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday marked 25 years of uninterrupted leadership at the helm of government, with the BJP and its NDA allies organising events across the country to commemorate the milestone.
Modi began his journey as head of a government on October 7, 2001, when he took oath as Gujarat chief minister. After serving in the post for more than 12 years, he became the BJP's prime ministerial candidate and led the party to a majority in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
He returned as prime minister with larger mandates in 2019 and 2024, becoming the first prime minister after Jawaharlal Nehru to lead the country for three consecutive terms.
On Wednesday, Modi offered prayers and performed aarti at Shri Vinayak Mandir in Sarojini Nagar, Delhi. He prayed for the well-being of the country's 140 crore people and renewed his pledge to serve the nation with utmost dedication.
He is also scheduled to address BJP cadre in Gujarat's Vadnagar and Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi as part of the joint closing ceremony of the ongoing Seva Sankalp Yatra.
The BJP has been observing Modi's 25 years in public life through the month-long Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, launched on his birthday on September 17. The campaign has featured blood donation drives, cleanliness programmes, welfare outreach, exhibitions, cultural events and other public-service activities.
The party is organising programmes across states, including torch marches, motorcycle and cycle rallies and exhibitions highlighting Modi's journey from Gujarat to the prime minister's office. In Delhi, the main Seva Jyoti programme is being held at the Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex.
Several NDA leaders have also joined the celebrations. Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, minister Nara Lokesh, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu and LJP leader Chirag Paswan have congratulated Modi and participated in events marking the occasion.
The Union Cabinet on Tuesday formally congratulated Modi on completing 25 years of continuous leadership as head of government. Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the Cabinet resolution described Modi's journey as being guided by the principle of "Nation First and Citizen First".
The resolution highlighted welfare schemes, infrastructure expansion, economic reforms and technology as key features of Modi's tenure. It cited nearly 60 crore Jan Dhan accounts, more than 4 crore houses and PM-KISAN transfers exceeding Rs 4 lakh crore.
The Cabinet also highlighted GST, digital payments, UPI, welfare delivery reforms and the replacement of colonial-era laws among major policy changes during Modi's tenure.
It pointed to the expansion of highways and railway electrification, growth in electronics production, defence manufacturing and semiconductor production. The resolution also cited India's Covid vaccine development and the Chandrayaan-3 landing near the Moon's south pole as symbols of the country's technological capabilities.
On national security, the resolution referred to the 2016 surgical strikes, 2019 Balakot air strikes and 2025 Operation Sindoor, besides the removal of Article 370, One Rank One Pension, the creation of the Chief of Defence Staff and action against Maoist violence.
The Cabinet resolution also highlighted India's role in the G20 and BRICS, its advocacy for the Global South, the African Union's inclusion in the G20 and Vaccine Maitri. It noted that Modi has received state honours from 36 countries.
The BJP is using the 25-year milestone to showcase Modi's political journey from Gujarat to Delhi while linking his leadership to its vision of a developed India by 2047.
Delhi Traffic Police has also announced restrictions on several key roads from 5 am to 1 pm on Wednesday as BJP workers and supporters gather at the Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex for the Seva Jyoti programme. Commuters have been advised to avoid the affected stretches where possible.