Prime Minister Narendra Modi (BJP) marked 12 years in office on Wednesday during a cabinet meeting in New Delhi [1], [2].
This milestone is significant because it marks the point at which Modi became the longest-serving prime minister in Indian history, surpassing the previous record held by Jawaharlal Nehru [3].
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party planned a month-long campaign to highlight the administration's governance record [1]. During the proceedings in New Delhi, union ministers greeted the prime minister to celebrate the anniversary of his leadership [2].
Modi first took office as prime minister on May 26, 2014 [4]. The celebration focused on the continuity of the BJP's policies, and the perceived stability of the current administration over the last 12 years [1].
Shivraj Singh Chouhan said the period represented a "golden era of India's reconstruction" [5]. The government intends to use the anniversary to showcase key achievements and milestones reached since 2014 as part of a broader political strategy [1], [6].
While some reports indicated the government was preparing to complete the milestone, other accounts confirmed the 12-year mark was officially reached on Tuesday [1], [2]. The cabinet meeting served as the primary venue for official greetings and acknowledgments of the tenure's duration [2].
“Modi became the longest-serving prime minister in Indian history, surpassing the previous record held by Jawaharlal Nehru.”
By surpassing Jawaharlal Nehru's tenure, Narendra Modi has cemented his position as the most enduring leader in the history of the Indian republic. This milestone allows the BJP to frame the last 12 years as a distinct era of national transformation, using the anniversary to consolidate political support and validate their long-term policy framework ahead of future electoral cycles.
