Key Highlights

• The milestone: Narendra Modi completes 25 years as head of government on October 7, 2026.
• Where it began: He took oath as Gujarat Chief Minister on October 7, 2001.
• The journey: Gujarat CM until 2014, followed by three terms as Prime Minister.
• Wishes: CMs Pushkar Singh Dhami, Rekha Gupta, Mohan Yadav and Bhajanlal Sharma sent greetings.
• Campaign: The milestone is being marked through the month-long Seva Sankalp Abhiyan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday completed 25 years as head of government. The journey began on October 7, 2001, when he took oath as Chief Minister of Gujarat, and has continued through three terms as Prime Minister.

The Journey at a Glance

In October 2001, Modi replaced Keshubhai Patel as Gujarat Chief Minister at a difficult time, as the state was still recovering from the Bhuj earthquake and facing political and administrative challenges.

What the Chief Ministers Said

Pushkar Singh Dhami (Uttarakhand) said the journey that began in 2001 continues "with the unwavering resolve to build a Viksit and Atmanirbhar Bharat," highlighting welfare, women's empowerment, youth and infrastructure.

Rekha Gupta (Delhi) said, "Every day of the Hon'ble Prime Minister ji's life has been devoted to the splendour of Mother India," adding that he has made "service a tradition, duty a devotion, and national interest the very purpose of life."

Mohan Yadav (Madhya Pradesh) said the journey has been an effort to realise "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas," citing the handling of Covid, the Article 370 decision, action against Naxalism, and schemes such as Ayushman Bharat, Ujjwala and PM Awas Yojana.

Bhajanlal Sharma (Rajasthan) called the journey an "extraordinary example of good governance and transparency," saying Gujarat's experiments in water supply, girls' education and industry became models for the country. "Veer Dhara Rajasthan is fully committed to realising your sacred resolve of 'Viksit Bharat'," he said.

Why It Matters: A Rare Unbroken Run

Twenty-five uninterrupted years as head of a state or national government is a long tenure in Indian politics. It spans two very different roles: governing a single state for more than 12 years, and then leading the national government.

The anniversary is also being marked through the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, a campaign running until October 17, under which states have held health camps, welfare launches and events, including a 6,500-student human rangoli in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.

As with any long tenure, Modi's record has drawn both strong support and criticism from opposition parties over the years. Wednesday's messages came from Chief Ministers of BJP-ruled states.

The Bottom Line

From a Gujarat swearing-in in 2001 to a third term as Prime Minister, Modi's 25 years in office mark one of the longest continuous runs at the head of government in Indian politics.

With inputs from IANS.

Key Highlights

• The milestone: Narendra Modi completes 25 years as head of government on October 7, 2026.
• Where it began: He took oath as Gujarat Chief Minister on October 7, 2001.
• The journey: Gujarat CM until 2014, followed by three terms as Prime Minister.
• Wishes: CMs Pushkar Singh Dhami, Rekha Gupta, Mohan Yadav and Bhajanlal Sharma sent greetings.
• Campaign: The milestone is being marked through the month-long Seva Sankalp Abhiyan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday completed 25 years as head of government. The journey began on October 7, 2001, when he took oath as Chief Minister of Gujarat, and has continued through three terms as Prime Minister.

The Journey at a Glance

In October 2001, Modi replaced Keshubhai Patel as Gujarat Chief Minister at a difficult time, as the state was still recovering from the Bhuj earthquake and facing political and administrative challenges.

What the Chief Ministers Said

Pushkar Singh Dhami (Uttarakhand) said the journey that began in 2001 continues "with the unwavering resolve to build a Viksit and Atmanirbhar Bharat," highlighting welfare, women's empowerment, youth and infrastructure.

Rekha Gupta (Delhi) said, "Every day of the Hon'ble Prime Minister ji's life has been devoted to the splendour of Mother India," adding that he has made "service a tradition, duty a devotion, and national interest the very purpose of life."

Mohan Yadav (Madhya Pradesh) said the journey has been an effort to realise "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas," citing the handling of Covid, the Article 370 decision, action against Naxalism, and schemes such as Ayushman Bharat, Ujjwala and PM Awas Yojana.

Bhajanlal Sharma (Rajasthan) called the journey an "extraordinary example of good governance and transparency," saying Gujarat's experiments in water supply, girls' education and industry became models for the country. "Veer Dhara Rajasthan is fully committed to realising your sacred resolve of 'Viksit Bharat'," he said.

Why It Matters: A Rare Unbroken Run

Twenty-five uninterrupted years as head of a state or national government is a long tenure in Indian politics. It spans two very different roles: governing a single state for more than 12 years, and then leading the national government.

The anniversary is also being marked through the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, a campaign running until October 17, under which states have held health camps, welfare launches and events, including a 6,500-student human rangoli in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.

As with any long tenure, Modi's record has drawn both strong support and criticism from opposition parties over the years. Wednesday's messages came from Chief Ministers of BJP-ruled states.

The Bottom Line

From a Gujarat swearing-in in 2001 to a third term as Prime Minister, Modi's 25 years in office mark one of the longest continuous runs at the head of government in Indian politics.

With inputs from IANS.