PM Modi Becomes India’s Longest-Serving Elected Prime Minister, Surpasses Nehru’s Record

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday achieved a historic milestone by becoming India's longest-serving elected Prime Minister, surpassing the tenure record of the country's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.

With 4,399 days in office as an elected Prime Minister, Modi has now exceeded Nehru's tenure counted from 1952 onwards, when India held its first general elections. Nehru had earlier headed the country's interim government between 1947 and 1952 before becoming Prime Minister through the electoral process.

The achievement marks another landmark in Modi's political journey, which began with his first swearing-in as Prime Minister in May 2014. Since then, he has led the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) to successive victories in 2019 and 2024, becoming the first Prime Minister since Nehru to secure three consecutive terms.

Although former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi served for more than 14 years in office, her tenure was spread across two separate periods. As a result, Modi now holds the distinction of being India's longest continuously serving elected Prime Minister.

Over the past 12 years, the Modi government has overseen several major infrastructure and development initiatives. These include the new Parliament building, the Central Vista redevelopment project, Kartavya Path, the expansion of the Vande Bharat train network, the Statue of Unity, the commissioning of INS Vikrant, the Kashmir rail link project, Noida International Airport, the Namo Bharat Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), and the Ganga Expressway.

To mark the occasion and celebrate the completion of 12 years of NDA rule at the Centre, the alliance is holding a key meeting at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. The gathering is expected to be attended by Prime Minister Modi, senior BJP leaders, chief ministers, deputy chief ministers from NDA-governed states and Union Territories, and leaders of alliance partner parties.

Sources indicate that the NDA is likely to pass a resolution congratulating Modi on surpassing Nehru's record and acknowledging his contribution to governance and development over the past decade.

Prominent leaders expected to participate include Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, BJP President J. P. Nadda, and Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

The meeting is also expected to focus on the NDA government's achievements, future policy priorities, governance agenda, and preparations for upcoming electoral challenges. Discussions are likely to cover development programmes, economic growth initiatives, welfare schemes, and the alliance's roadmap for the years ahead.

Modi's latest milestone further cements his place in India's political history as one of the country's most enduring and influential leaders in the democratic era.

With inputs from IANS