Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, received a rousing reception as he arrived at the 'Viksit Bharat Sankalp Sabha' in New Delhi, an event organised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) under the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' initiative to mark 25 years of his uninterrupted tenure as head of government — first as Gujarat Chief Minister and subsequently as Prime Minister of India.

A Grand Welcome at the Sabha

As Modi stepped into the venue, supporters showered flowers, waved BJP flags, and raised slogans including 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' and 'Swagat hai, bhai swagat hai; Modi ji ka swagat hai'. Attendees were also seen capturing the moment on their phones, underscoring the scale of the gathering.

What BJP National President Nitin Nabin Said

BJP National President Nitin Nabin addressed the gathering and congratulated Modi on the completion of his 25-year tenure as head of government. 'People are giving their blessings and best wishes to you so you can continue serving the nation with the same dedication as you always have,' Nabin said.

Drawing on an evocative metaphor, Nabin added: 'Over these 25 years, like a lamp burning itself, you have continuously strived through your hard work and dedication to spread the light of development, confidence and self-respect in the lives of 140 crore Indians.' He described the occasion as 'an unforgettable day for all Indians and all BJP workers,' marking the journey of a leader who, he said, began amid struggles and moved forward by facing every challenge.

Nabin also cited former President Pranab Mukherjee to highlight that Modi was the first person in India's history to be announced as the BJP's prime ministerial face before a Lok Sabha election — a mandate, he argued, that the electorate ratified with a decisive majority. The BJP chief praised what he called 'transformative schemes' pursued under Modi's leadership for youth, students, women, the poor, and sports.

Twenty-Five Years: From Bhuj to New Delhi

Modi's milestone traces back to October 2001, when he was sworn in as Gujarat Chief Minister, replacing Keshubhai Patel at a particularly turbulent moment: the state was still recovering from the devastating Bhuj earthquake and facing significant administrative challenges. He held that post until 2014, when he transitioned to national politics ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

Since assuming office as Prime Minister, Modi has gone on to secure three consecutive terms — an electoral record that gives the occasion its political weight. His tenure has also been accompanied by what the government describes as an expanded international profile for India, including deeper diplomatic engagement with major powers and a more prominent role in the Global South.

Significance and What Comes Next

The 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' and the associated Viksit Bharat Sankalp Sabha serve as the BJP's formal vehicle to commemorate the milestone and rally party workers around the 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India) vision that has become central to the party's political messaging. The event signals the BJP's intent to use the anniversary as a springboard for renewed outreach ahead of upcoming electoral cycles. Whether the narrative of 25 years of service resonates beyond the party's core base remains a question opposition parties are likely to contest.