PM Modi's 25 years in power: BJP to mark milestone with nationwide events

Prime Minister Narendra Modi became Gujarat chief minister on October 7, 2001, and remained in office for more than 12 years before moving to the national stage in 2014. He has since led the NDA to victory in three consecutive Lok Sabha elections.25 years, 3 Gujarat wins, 3 Lok Sabha mandates: BJP, NDA celebrate PM Modi's journey today (Photo: PTI)New Delhi,Oct 7, 2026 08:00 ISTTwenty-five years ago, Narendra Modi took charge as the chief minister of Gujarat, beginning a political journey that would eventually take him to the Centre and make him one of India's longest-serving heads of government.On October 7, 2001, Modi was sworn in as Gujarat chief minister. On Wednesday, exactly 25 years later, the BJP and its NDA allies are marking the milestone with events across the country, while the Union Cabinet has hailed what it described as an "extraordinary journey" of uninterrupted leadership.From Gujarat's chief minister's office to three successive terms as prime minister, Modi has remained at the centre of Indian politics for a quarter of a century. The BJP is using the occasion to showcase this journey through public programmes, rallies, exhibitions and service activities.FROM GUJARAT TO DELHIPM Modi's first stint at the helm of a government began in Gujarat in 2001. His tenure there lasted more than 12 years before he became the BJP's prime ministerial candidate and led the party to a majority in the 2014 Lok Sabha election. He returned as prime minister with larger mandates in 2019 and 2024, becoming the first prime minister after Jawaharlal Nehru to lead a government for three consecutive terms.The BJP's celebrations seek to connect the two phases of his political career. The Union Cabinet resolution pointed to initiatives launched in Gujarat that were later expanded nationally, including the SWAGAT grievance-redressal system and the Jyotigram scheme. SWAGAT, through which Modi personally reviewed citizens' grievances, received the United Nations Public Service Award in 2010. Its approach later inspired PRAGATI, the Centre's platform for reviewing stalled projects and resolving implementation bottlenecks.BJP TURNS MILESTONE INTO NATIONWIDE CAMPAIGNThe BJP has been marking Modi's 25 years in public life through the month-long Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, launched on his birthday on September 17.The campaign has included blood donation drives, cleanliness programmes, welfare outreach, exhibitions, cultural events and other public-service initiatives.On Wednesday, the BJP is organising events 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. BJP workers and supporters from organisational units across the capital are expected to attend.NDA LEADERS JOIN CELEBRATIONSThe milestone is not being presented as a BJP-only occasion. Several NDA leaders have publicly congratulated Modi and joined events marking his 25 years at the helm.Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and minister Nara Lokesh have praised Modi's record, citing initiatives such as Digital India, UPI, Make in India, Startup India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has also congratulated Modi, while TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu, LJP leader Chirag Paswan and other NDA leaders participated in celebrations in Varanasi earlier.The events have provided the BJP-led alliance an opportunity to showcase both Modi's personal political journey and the wider NDA partnership around his leadership.DELHI TRAFFIC CURBS FOR BJP EVENTCommuters in central Delhi can expect traffic restrictions on Wednesday morning as a large number of BJP workers and supporters converge on the Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex for the Seva Jyoti programme.The restrictions will be in place from 5 am to 1 pm on several key roads, including Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, JLN Marg, Mahatma Gandhi Marg (Ring Road), IP Marg and Vikas Marg.Traffic will also be regulated on stretches around Shanti Van Crossing, Rajghat, Bhairon Marg, Geeta Colony Flyover, IP Flyover, Salimgarh Bypass, W-Point, Delhi Gate and the Rajghat-Kisan Ghat/Power House Road stretch.No traffic will be permitted on Secretariat Road and Velodrome Road from 6 am onwards, depending on operational requirements.The Delhi Traffic Police has advised commuters to avoid the affected stretches between 5 am and 1 pm wherever possible. No parking will be allowed on the affected roads and vehicles parked there may be towed and prosecuted.CABINET HAILS 'UNBROKEN' LEADERSHIPAt its meeting on Tuesday, the Union Cabinet formally congratulated Modi on completing 25 years of continuous leadership as head of government.Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the resolution was more than a customary tribute and described Modi's journey as being guided by the principle of "Nation First and Citizen First".The Cabinet cited welfare schemes, infrastructure expansion, economic reforms and technology among the defining features of Modi's tenure.It highlighted nearly 60 crore Jan Dhan accounts, more than 4 crore houses and PM-KISAN transfers exceeding Rs 4 lakh crore. The resolution also referred to the government's claim that 25 crore people have moved out of poverty.GST, digital payments, UPI, welfare delivery reforms and the replacement of colonial-era laws were cited as examples of major policy changes.FROM UPI TO CHANDRAYAAN-3The Cabinet resolution also sought to frame Modi's tenure around India's technological and economic transformation. It pointed to the expansion of highways and railway electrification, growth in electronics production, defence manufacturing and semiconductor production.The resolution credited Modi's emphasis on technology with helping expand digital welfare delivery and payments through Jan Dhan, Aadhaar and mobile connectivity, while UPI transformed everyday transactions.It also cited India's development of Covid vaccines and the Chandrayaan-3 landing near the Moon's south pole as symbols of the country's growing technological capabilities.SECURITY, DIPLOMACY AND THE 2047 VISIONThe Cabinet resolution placed national security among the other defining themes of Modi's leadership, citing the 2016 surgical strikes, 2019 Balakot air strikes and 2025 Operation Sindoor.The removal of Article 370, One Rank One Pension, the creation of the Chief of Defence Staff and the government's action against Maoist violence were also highlighted.On the international stage, the resolution pointed to 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 also noted that Modi has received state honours from 36 countries.As the BJP marks 25 years of Modi at the helm of government, the party is tying his political journey to its larger vision of a developed India by 2047.- EndsWith PTI inputs