Prime Minister Narendra Modi has officially surpassed former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to become the second-longest serving leader in India’s history. As of Friday, Modi completed 4,078 consecutive days in office, exceeding Gandhi’s record of 4,077 days. Gandhi’s tenure lasted from January 24, 1966, to March 24, 1977.
Modi, 74, who first assumed office on May 26, 2014, was sworn in for a third consecutive term in June 2024. With this achievement, Modi has cemented his place as one of India’s most significant political figures.
He is the first Prime Minister to be born after India’s independence and remains the longest-serving leader from a non-Congress party.
Before becoming Prime Minister, Modi served as the Chief Minister of Gujarat from 2001 to 2014. His tenure in Gujarat was marked by controversy, including allegations related to the 2002 Gujarat riots, where violence against the Muslim community was reported. Despite these controversies, Modi’s political career continued to thrive, leading him to a historic rise to the nation’s top office.
The record for the longest-serving Prime Minister in India still belongs to Jawaharlal Nehru, the country’s first Prime Minister. Nehru served for 16 years and 286 days, from August 15, 1947, until his death on May 27, 1964.
Modi’s political journey is notable for several milestones. He is the only non-Congress Prime Minister to serve two full terms and be re-elected for a third term. In 2014, his party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), secured a majority in the Lok Sabha with 272 seats.
In 2019, the BJP improved its performance, winning 303 seats. Although the BJP fell short of a majority in the 2024 general elections, it formed the government with the support of its allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA).
Modi is also the first sitting Prime Minister since Indira Gandhi in 1971 to win re-election, and only the second leader after Nehru to lead his party to three consecutive general election victories.
His continued leadership reflects his strong political influence and the enduring support of his party and allies.
In other news, read about the tragic school roof collapse in Rajasthan that killed four children and injured many others
