Bommai credits Modi for lifting India to world's 4th-largest economy on PM's 76th birthday
Synopsis
On PM Modi's 76th birthday, BJP MP and former Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai offered prayers at temples in Hubballi, crediting Modi with making India the world's fourth-largest economy and claiming 25 crore people were lifted out of poverty under his watch — assertions that underscore the BJP's political messaging ahead of state elections.
Key Takeaways
Former Karnataka CM and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai offered prayers at temples in Hubballi on 17 September 2026 on the occasion of PM Modi's 76th birthday .
Bommai credited Modi with transforming India into the world's fourth-largest economy .
He claimed around 25 crore people were lifted out of poverty during the Modi government's tenure.
A month-long 'Seva Sankalpa' programme, including lamp-lighting, has been planned as part of the birthday observances.
Bommai urged citizens to support the vision of a developed India by 2047 , invoking Modi's 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' and 'Sabka Prayas' mottos.
Former Karnataka Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday, 17 September 2026, offered special prayers at multiple temples in Hubballi to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 76th birthday, crediting the PM with transforming India into the world's fourth-largest economy.
Prayers and Celebrations in Hubballi
Bommai visited the Sri Anjaneya Swamy Temple in Adarsh Nagar, offering prayers for Modi's good health, long life, and continued service to the nation. He subsequently paid his respects at the Ganesh and Subramanya Swamy temples as part of the birthday observances.
Speaking to reporters after the prayers, Bommai said he had sought Lord Ganesha's blessings to remove obstacles in the implementation of the Prime Minister's policy commitments. He expressed hope for the realisation of the visions of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat', an Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and a Viksit Bharat.
Bommai's Claims on India's Economic Rise
Bommai said Prime Minister Modi had assumed office at a challenging time for the country and, through sustained leadership, steered India to become a strong nation and the world's fourth-largest economy. He further claimed that around 25 crore people had been lifted out of poverty during the Modi government's tenure — a figure that, if verified independently, would represent one of the largest poverty-reduction achievements globally.
He noted that special prayers were being conducted at temples nationwide and that a month-long 'Seva Sankalpa' programme had been organised as part of the birthday celebrations, including the lighting of lamps in the evening.
Call for National Participation
Bommai called upon citizens to contribute towards nation-building, saying Prime Minister Modi was working towards the ideals of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' and 'Sabka Prayas'. He urged people to actively join efforts to realise the vision of a self-reliant and developed India by 2047.
The celebrations in Hubballi are part of wider BJP-led tributes marking the Prime Minister's birthday, with party workers and leaders across multiple states organising community events, service programmes, and religious observances. How similar birthday-linked political mobilisations translate into electoral groundwork ahead of upcoming state polls remains a point of interest for political observers.
Point of View
Almost providential leader. The claim that 25 crore people were lifted out of poverty is politically potent but demands independent verification; the methodology and baseline used to arrive at that number matters enormously. Similarly, India's rise to the fourth-largest economy by nominal GDP is a structural achievement, but headline rank conceals persistent per-capita income gaps relative to peers. The real editorial question is whether birthday celebrations of this scale — replete with 'Seva Sankalpa' months and nationwide lamp-lighting — represent grassroots connect or top-down mobilisation dressed as civic participation.
NationPress
17 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Basavaraj Bommai say about PM Modi on his 76th birthday?
Bommai credited Prime Minister Modi with transforming India into the world's fourth-largest economy and claimed that around 25 crore people were lifted out of poverty under his government. He made these remarks while speaking to reporters after offering prayers at temples in Hubballi on 17 September 2026.
Where did Bommai offer prayers for PM Modi's birthday?
Bommai visited the Sri Anjaneya Swamy Temple in Adarsh Nagar, Hubballi, and also offered prayers at the Ganesh and Subramanya Swamy temples. The prayers were specifically for the Prime Minister's good health, long life, and continued service to the nation.
What is the 'Seva Sankalpa' programme linked to Modi's birthday?
'Seva Sankalpa' is a month-long programme organised as part of Prime Minister Modi's birthday celebrations, which includes community service events and the lighting of lamps in the evening. Special prayers at temples nationwide are also being conducted as part of the observances.
Has India officially become the world's fourth-largest economy?
India's rise to the status of the world's fourth-largest economy by nominal GDP has been widely reported, though the ranking can vary depending on the metric and year used. Bommai's claim reflects the BJP's broader political messaging around India's economic ascent under Modi's tenure.
Who is Basavaraj Bommai?
Basavaraj Bommai is a BJP MP and former Chief Minister of Karnataka. He served as Karnataka CM before the BJP lost the state assembly election in 2023, and remains a senior party figure in the state.
