PM Modi's 76th birthday: BJP leaders in Karnataka offer prayers, hold cleanliness drives
Synopsis
On PM Modi's 76th birthday, Karnataka BJP mobilised across Tumakuru and Shivamogga — with a Union Minister sweeping a railway station and the state party chief praying at a temple — while formally launching the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan', a month-long, 224-constituency campaign marking Modi's 25 years in public service.
Key Takeaways
Somanna offered prayers at the Sri Subrahmanya Temple , Tumakuru, and led a Swachh Bharat Abhiyan cleanliness drive at Tumakuru Railway Station on 17 September 2026 .
Karnataka BJP President B.Y.
Vijayendra offered prayers at the Sri Huchhurayaswamy Temple in Shikaripura on PM Modi's 76th birthday .
Vijayendra noted that PM Modi is set to complete 25 years in public service on 7 October 2026 .
The BJP's 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' campaign runs from 17 September to 17 October 2026 across all 224 Assembly constituencies in Karnataka.
Party workers are to light lamps at 7 pm and organise booth-level programmes as part of the nationwide campaign.
Minister of State for Jal Shakti and Railways V. Somanna and Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President B.Y. Vijayendra on Thursday, 17 September 2026, joined state-wide celebrations marking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 76th birthday and his 25 years of public service, participating in temple prayers and community outreach programmes across Tumakuru and Shivamogga districts in Karnataka.
Prayers and Cleanliness Drive in Tumakuru
Somanna began the day by offering special prayers at the Sri Subrahmanya Temple in Tumakuru, seeking long life and continued strength for the Prime Minister to serve the country. He subsequently participated in a cleanliness drive at Tumakuru Railway Station as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, personally wielding a broom to sweep the station premises alongside volunteers.
Schoolchildren welcomed the Union Minister with a floral shower at the railway station. Somanna expressed his appreciation for the warm and affectionate reception extended by the children, underscoring the importance of public participation in cleanliness initiatives.
Vijayendra's Tribute in Shikaripura
Karnataka BJP President Vijayendra offered special prayers at the Sri Huchhurayaswamy Temple in Shikaripura, praying for Modi's good health, long life, and continued strength to serve the nation. He described the Prime Minister as the 'Pradhan Sevak' — a servant of the people — who has worked tirelessly toward the vision of a developed India by 2047.
Vijayendra noted that Modi began his public service journey as Gujarat Chief Minister in 2001 and rose to lead the country as Prime Minister in 2014. He added that Modi is set to complete 25 years in public service on 7 October 2026, marking a quarter-century since assuming the office of Gujarat Chief Minister.
Month-Long 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' Launched
Vijayendra announced the formal launch of the BJP's month-long 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' campaign, running from 17 September to 17 October 2026, as directed by BJP national President Nitin Nabin. The nationwide programme is designed to commemorate Modi's 25 years of public service.
Under the campaign, BJP workers are scheduled to organise programmes at booths across all 224 Assembly constituencies in Karnataka. Vijayendra said party workers would also light lamps with members of the public at 7 pm and pray for the Prime Minister's long life. He urged workers to carry the message of Modi's welfare initiatives and development vision to every household.
Who Was Present
The events were attended by a host of local party functionaries, including Mandal President Hanumanthappa, City President Raghavendra S.S., Mandal Yuva Morcha President Veeranagowda, Mandal Mahila Morcha President Rekha Rajshekhar, and party leaders K.S. Gurumurthy, Vasanthgowda, Channaveerappa, Ramanaik, D.L. Basavaraj, Palakshappa, Sachin, and Girish Dharwad, among others.
The Karnataka events are part of a broader, nationally coordinated BJP effort to mark the Prime Minister's birthday, with similar programmes reportedly being held across the country.
Point of View
Stretching across all 224 constituencies in a state where the BJP is currently in opposition. Framing Modi's tenure through the '25 years of service' narrative allows the party to build an organisational cadence ahead of future electoral cycles, while the Swachh Bharat optics keep Modi's flagship scheme in circulation at the local level. The real measure of this campaign's impact will be booth-level turnout and whether it translates into sustained voter engagement — not just a single day of lamp-lighting.
NationPress
17 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What events were held in Karnataka to mark PM Modi's 76th birthday?
Union Minister V. Somanna offered prayers at the Sri Subrahmanya Temple in Tumakuru and led a Swachh Bharat Abhiyan cleanliness drive at Tumakuru Railway Station. Karnataka BJP President B.Y. Vijayendra offered prayers at the Sri Huchhurayaswamy Temple in Shikaripura and launched the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' campaign.
What is the BJP's 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan'?
The 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' is a month-long BJP campaign running from 17 September to 17 October 2026, organised to commemorate PM Modi's 25 years in public service. It involves booth-level programmes across all 224 Assembly constituencies in Karnataka, including lamp-lighting at 7 pm.
When will PM Modi complete 25 years in public service?
According to Vijayendra, PM Modi will complete 25 years in public service on 7 October 2026, marking 25 years since he assumed office as Gujarat Chief Minister in 2001. He subsequently became Prime Minister in 2014.
Who attended the birthday events in Karnataka?
The events were attended by local party leaders including Mandal President Hanumanthappa, City President Raghavendra S.S., Mandal Yuva Morcha President Veeranagowda, Mandal Mahila Morcha President Rekha Rajshekhar, and several other party functionaries.
What is the significance of the Swachh Bharat drive at Tumakuru Railway Station?
The cleanliness drive was held as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, PM Modi's flagship sanitation campaign, with MoS Somanna personally sweeping the station premises alongside volunteers. It was organised to align Modi's birthday celebrations with one of his signature governance programmes.
