Modi's 25 years in office a golden chapter in democracy: Pramod Krishnam
Synopsis
A former Congress leader calling Modi's 25-year public life a 'golden chapter' in Indian democracy — and blaming Rahul Gandhi for the Congress's decline — is a striking commentary from within the opposition's own fold. Acharya Pramod Krishnam's remarks, combining historical parallels with pointed political barbs, encapsulate how dramatically the political centre of gravity has shifted since 2014.
Key Takeaways
Acharya Pramod Krishnam , former Congress leader and Peethadhishwar of Kalki Dham , congratulated PM Modi on completing 25 years in public office on 7 October 2026 .
He called Modi's public life 'a new and glorious chapter in the history of Indian democracy,' drawing comparisons with Nehru and Indira Gandhi .
Krishnam argued that India's global stature has risen from being compared with Pakistan to being benchmarked alongside China , Russia , and the United States .
He credited Modi's tenure with elevating Sanatan culture globally, citing sites like Kedarnath , Somnath , and events like Mahakumbh .
He squarely blamed Rahul Gandhi for the Congress party's decline and mocked the recent sit-in protest at Akashvani premises.
Former Congress leader and Peethadhishwar of Kalki Dham Acharya Pramod Krishnam on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, lavished praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for completing 25 years in public office, calling the milestone a 'new and glorious chapter in the history of Indian democracy.' Speaking from Ghaziabad, Krishnam credited Modi's tenure with delivering significant domestic transformation and elevating India's standing on the world stage.
A Comparison Across Eras
Drawing a generational parallel, Krishnam invoked the legacies of former Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi to frame Modi's tenure in historical context. 'We did not see Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, though we have read and heard about him. We did see Indira Gandhi. But these 25 years of Narendra Modi's life represent a new chapter in the history of Indian democracy,' he said.
He also contrasted the pre-2014 and post-2014 periods, arguing that India was previously benchmarked against nations like Pakistan but today stands comparison with major powers such as China, Russia, and the United States.
Civilisational Revival and Global Spotlight
Krishnam highlighted what he described as a resurgence of India's civilisational identity under Modi, pointing to renewed global interest in religious and cultural sites. He cited the increased footfall at Rameswaram, Somnath, and Kedarnath as pilgrimage destinations drawing visitors from across the world. Mass religious gatherings such as the Kumbh and Mahakumbh have, in his assessment, placed India's Sanatan culture firmly in the international spotlight.
Sharp Jab at Rahul Gandhi and Congress
The former Congress figure did not spare the party he once belonged to. Targeting the recent sit-in protest by Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi inside the Akashvani (All India Radio) premises, Krishnam was pointed in his criticism. 'Rahul Gandhi has become an expert at staging sit-ins. He should keep practising this until 2047,' he remarked.
He further attributed the party's decline squarely to its leadership: 'If anyone is responsible for the decline of the Congress party, it is Rahul Gandhi,' he said in comments that drew attention for their bluntness, given his own long association with the party.
Good Wishes for the Prime Minister
Rounding off his remarks, Krishnam extended personal congratulations to Prime Minister Modi on the 25-year milestone, wishing him good health and a long life. He expressed hope that Modi's service to the nation would remain 'unbroken and uninterrupted' in the years ahead.
The remarks come as Modi marks a quarter-century of continuous public life that spans his years as Chief Minister of Gujarat and, since 2014, as Prime Minister — a trajectory that has fundamentally reshaped the contours of Indian politics.
Point of View
The remarks are unambiguously political in framing, and the historical comparisons — placing Modi above Nehru and Indira Gandhi — reflect advocacy rather than analysis. The more substantive claim, that India's global standing has shifted from a Pakistan-tier comparison to a peer of China and the US, deserves scrutiny beyond rhetoric: India's per-capita income, military reach, and multilateral weight have grown, but the equivalence remains contested. The 25-year milestone is a legitimate political moment; how the BJP uses endorsements from former adversaries will define whether this translates into a broader narrative or stays a one-day story.
NationPress
7 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Acharya Pramod Krishnam and why are his remarks significant?
Acharya Pramod Krishnam is a former Congress leader and the Peethadhishwar (head priest) of Kalki Dham in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh. His praise of PM Modi is notable precisely because of his long association with the Congress party, lending his criticism of Rahul Gandhi and endorsement of Modi unusual political weight.
What did Pramod Krishnam say about PM Modi's 25 years in office?
He called the 25-year milestone a 'new and glorious chapter in the history of Indian democracy,' comparing Modi's legacy favourably with those of Nehru and Indira Gandhi. He credited Modi with raising India's global stature and reviving the country's civilisational and cultural identity.
How did Krishnam characterise India's rise under Modi?
He argued that before 2014, India was benchmarked against Pakistan, whereas today it is compared with major global powers like China, Russia, and the United States. He also pointed to increased global attention on religious sites such as Kedarnath, Somnath, and Rameswaram, and on events like the Mahakumbh.
What did Krishnam say about Rahul Gandhi and the Congress sit-in protest?
Krishnam mocked the sit-in protest by Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi at the Akashvani premises, saying Rahul had 'become an expert at staging sit-ins' and should 'keep practising this until 2047.' He also said Rahul Gandhi bears primary responsibility for the Congress party's decline.
How long has PM Modi been in public office?
PM Modi has completed 25 years in continuous public life, a period that spans his tenure as Chief Minister of Gujarat and, from May 2014 onwards, as Prime Minister of India. The 25-year milestone was marked on 7 October 2026.
