New Delhi | Leaders of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Wednesday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for becoming India's longest-serving elected prime minister, with Union ministers, chief ministers and other senior leaders of alliance partners crediting him with providing stable governance, strengthening national security, and enhancing India's global standing.
The remarks were made at a conclave of NDA constituents held at Bharat Mandapam here on Wednesday to mark the ruling coalition completing 12 years in office and Modi becoming India's longest-serving elected PM.
Addressing the gathering, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said Modi's achievement reflects sustained public support in an era where politics is judged by performance.
"Today, Modi ji has broken a record that stood for 62 years. In the initial years after Independence, there was no real political competition and the Congress enjoyed the entire credit for freedom. But in today's era of performance-based politics, being repeatedly blessed by the people shows that Modi ji's journey is also a journey of democratic acceptance and endorsement," Shah said.
Shah said Modi's tenure will be remembered in golden letters for political stability, policy formulation and implementation, a strong foreign policy, and a defence policy that safeguards the nation's honour and security.
"Under your leadership, casteism, dynastic politics and appeasement politics have ended and politics of performance has been established," he said.
The home minister also said the prime minister's vision of a developed India by 2047 has instilled confidence in the country and helped overcome a "collective inferiority complex".
Highlighting India's achievements during the last 12 years, Shah referred to advances in connectivity, infrastructure, exports, innovation and startup growth, while also underlining the country's growing global stature.
He also highlighted that with 292 Lok Sabha MPs, 144 Rajya Sabha MPs, 2,315 MLAs and more than 222 Legislative Council members, the NDA today governs nearly 80 per cent of India's geographical area.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said India's security architecture has been significantly strengthened under Modi's leadership.
"Our policy is clear: we will not provoke anyone, but if someone provokes us, we will not spare them," Singh said.
He asserted that there will be no compromise on national security and India's enemies will receive a strong response. Singh said under Modi's leadership, India's policy is neither to speak from a position of arrogance nor from one of submission, but to engage with the world on equal terms.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu praised Modi's leadership and contribution to national development, and added that his commitment to public service and development is unparalleled.
"Modi ji, you are leading this century," Naidu said.
He further said Modi has set new benchmarks in infrastructure creation and welfare delivery.
"All of us, the entire NDA, are proud of you. Under your leadership, we remain committed to the nation's development," Naidu said.
Referring to the BJP's recent gains in West Bengal, Naidu expressed confidence that the state will play an important role in India's development journey.
"The overwhelming support that the BJP received in West Bengal under your leadership has convinced me that what Bengal thinks today, the rest of the country thinks tomorrow. Today, I can say, Prime Minister, that under your leadership, Bengal will represent the country's development," he said.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said Modi has emerged as a symbol of the aspirations and self-confidence of 1.4 billion Indians.
"You are the embodiment of the self-respect of 1.4 billion Indians and represent India's honour on the global stage," Shinde said.
Shinde also credited Modi with extending substantial financial support for Maharashtra's development.
"If Maharashtra has received the highest financial support for development, it is because of Modi ji," he said.
Union Minister and JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy said the milestone reflects the people's enduring faith in Modi's leadership.
"It is a reflection of the unwavering trust of the people in his leadership," Kumaraswamy said.
He expressed confidence that the goal of making India a developed nation by 2047 will be possible only under Modi's leadership and credited the prime minister with accelerating development across states.
Kumaraswamy said the Centre under Modi has increased financial support to states while ensuring faster implementation of development projects across the country.
New Delhi | BJP leaders, including ministers, MPs and MLAs performed 'havan' and special prayers at temples across the country for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's long life and good health as he completed 12 years in office and also became India's longest continuously serving prime minister.
BJP national president Nitin Nabin offered prayers at Jhandewala temple in the capital and Delhi BJP chief Harsh Malhotra, party MP Bansuri Swaraj and several other BJP leaders joined him.
Union ministers including J P Nadda, Piyush Goyal, Jitendra Singh and Dharmendra Pradhan also performed puja at different temples in Delhi.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta visited Kishanganj Gaushala in north Delhi and offered prayers at a temple.
On Wednesday, Modi became the longest-serving elected prime minister of India as he crossed the record of Jawaharlal Nehru's 4,399 days in power as an elected prime minister following the 1952 general elections.
In a post on X, Nabin said, "On the historic occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi becoming the longest-serving elected prime minister, I visited the renowned Jhandewalan Devi temple in New Delhi today and performed the ritualistic worship of Goddess Adishakti Maa Bhagwati."
"On this auspicious occasion, I reverently bowed my head at the feet of the Goddess and prayed for the honorable prime minister's long life and good health," he added.
Nadda, who offered prayer at Birla Temple here, said the day has been "etched forever" in golden letters in the parliamentary history of the country with Modi becoming the longest serving prime minister of India.
"Prime Minister Modi ji has dedicated every moment of his life to the service of the nation. I pray to God that he continues to serve the country tirelessly for a long time with the same energy, dedication, and resolve," the former BJP national president said in a post on X in Hindi.
In Punjab, BJP leaders offered prayers at religious places and congratulated Modi.
Newly-appointed Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon paid obeisance at a gurdwara in Chandigarh and said he offered 'shukrana' (gratitude) on the completion of "our beloved, hardworking and visionary Narendra Modi's unprecedented and historic tenure of 12 years as prime minister".
The Gujarat unit of the BJP organised 'maha aartis' across temples in the state.
"On Wednesday morning, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel participated in the maha aarti at Trimandir, Adalaj, Gandhinagar. Gujarat BJP president Jagdish Vishwakarma will attend the maha aarti at the ancient Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple at Vadnagar (PM Modi's hometown) in Mehsana district at 7 pm," Gujarat BJP said in a statement.
Special prayers were being held for the long life and good health of Modi, it added.
Special religious programmes were also organised across Rajasthan.
Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma offered prayers at the Moti Dungri Ganesh Temple in Jaipur for the prime minister's well-being, longevity, good health and continued service to the nation.
BJP workers organised special prayers at various temples in Maharashtra. A grand "maha aarti" was held at the 125-year-old Shri Gavdevi Temple in the Naupada area of Thane to pray for Modi's long life, good health, and a bright future, BJP corporator Sanjay Waghule said.
While the BJP leaders and workers in Odisha offered 'pujas' at different temples marking the occasion, BJP state unit president and MP Manmohan Samal offered 'dipa' (diya) at Lingaraj temple in Bhubaneswar and held a puja for the prime minister's good health.
