New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi made history on Sunday by becoming the longest-serving head of government in India. He surpassed former Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling.
Combining his tenures as the Chief Minister of Gujarat and as Prime Minister, and having served as a head of government for 8,931 days, PM Modi has surpassed Chamling’s record of 8,930 days.
This milestone marks a significant moment in India’s history, reflecting decades of continuous public service and leadership. PM Modi previously served as Gujarat’s longest-serving Chief Minister and is also the Prime Minister with the longest cumulative tenure as a Chief Minister.
He is the first Prime Minister born after India’s independence and has led his party to victory in three consecutive Lok Sabha elections—in 2014, 2019, and 2024. Last October, the Prime Minister thanked the people of India as he stepped into the 25th year of his tenure as a head of government.
Recounting his journey since taking the oath as the Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2001, the Prime Minister stated that his constant endeavor has been to improve people’s lives and contribute to the nation’s progress.
He noted that he had assumed office under “very difficult circumstances.” He recalled that Gujarat was grappling with a devastating earthquake, a super cyclone, persistent droughts, and political instability.
PM Modi remarked that these challenges only strengthened his resolve to rebuild the state with renewed vigor and hope.
Recalling a personal moment, he shared that his mother had always advised him to work for the poor and never to accept a bribe; he added that these very principles have guided his public life.
Emphasizing the transformation witnessed in Gujarat during his tenure, he stated that the state has emerged from drought and economic hardship to become a “powerhouse of good governance,” witnessing significant progress in agriculture, industry, and infrastructure. The Prime Minister also recalled being nominated as the Prime Ministerial candidate in 2013—a period he described as a “crisis of trust and governance”—and credited the people of India with delivering a decisive mandate to his party in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections.
He further stated that over the past 11 years, more than 250 million people have been lifted out of poverty, and India has emerged as a bright spot among major global economies.
Emphasizing empowerment, he noted that these efforts have benefited *Nari Shakti* (women), the youth, and farmers. Reiterating his gratitude, PM Modi affirmed that serving the nation is the greatest honor, and he reaffirmed his commitment to building a “Viksit Bharat” (Developed India), guided by constitutional values.
