Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, shared an opinion piece by former Prime Minister H. D. Deve Gowda reflecting on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 12 years in office, calling it 'a must read' on India's evolving growth story. The piece, published in a major English-language daily, draws on Deve Gowda's own decades in public life to examine the scale of national transformation since 2014.

Context

Narendra Modi was first sworn in as Prime Minister in May 2014 after the BJP-led NDA secured a parliamentary majority, marking the beginning of what is now a 12-year continuous tenure. The anniversary has prompted commentary from across the political spectrum, including from leaders outside the ruling coalition. H. D. Deve Gowda, who himself served as Prime Minister from 1996 to 1997 and leads the Janata Dal (Secular) in Karnataka, represents a notable cross-party voice in this conversation.

Kishan Reddy, who serves as both Union Minister of Coal and Mines and BJP Telangana state president, amplified the piece on his official X account, describing it as 'thought-provoking' and highlighting its treatment of 'democratic evolution, social inclusion, economic progress, governance reforms, and technological advancement.'

Policy Backdrop

According to Kishan Reddy's post, Deve Gowda's reflection situates Modi's tenure within India's broader post-Independence trajectory — one that spans successive governments and periods of democratic consolidation, economic liberalisation, and technological change. The framing is notably longitudinal, placing the current period alongside India's longer arc of development rather than treating it in isolation.

Deve Gowda is described in the post as drawing on his personal experience in public life to assess 'the leadership qualities that have shaped this period of national transformation' and 'the growing aspirations of its citizens.' The research block notes that the specific wording of the opinion piece could not be independently verified, and NationPress has not reviewed the original text directly.

Stakeholders and Impact

Cross-party commentary on a sitting Prime Minister's governance record is relatively uncommon in India's polarised political environment, making Deve Gowda's reflection — as characterised by Kishan Reddy — notable. JD(S), Deve Gowda's party, has at various points aligned with the BJP at the national level, which provides some political context for the gesture.

For BJP leaders such as Kishan Reddy, amplifying such a piece serves to underscore the breadth of acknowledgement Modi's tenure has received, particularly as the government approaches and marks milestone anniversaries. The post is directed at a national audience and is likely to circulate within political and policy circles.

What's Next

The 12th anniversary of the Modi government's formation is expected to generate continued commentary, institutional reviews, and political messaging through June 2026. Further reactions from opposition leaders, civil society, and policy analysts are likely as the government and its supporters mark the occasion. Whether Deve Gowda's piece prompts a broader cross-party dialogue on governance and India's development trajectory remains to be seen.