Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday, 12 June credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 12-year tenure with delivering a '360-degree transformation' of India, marking the occasion with a wide-ranging account of governance milestones. Speaking to reporters in Mumbai, Fadnavis also noted that Modi has surpassed Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's record of 4,398 days to become the longest-serving elected Prime Minister of India.

Record Tenure and Political Dominance

Fadnavis, speaking on behalf of Maharashtra's 14 crore citizens, described Modi not merely as the longest-serving but as the 'finest' Prime Minister the country has had. He pointed to the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) currently running governments in 22 states, covering 80 per cent of India's landmass — a scale of political reach he argued eluded the Indian National Congress even at its peak. He expressed particular pride in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) forming a government in West Bengal, the birthplace of party ideologue Syama Prasad Mookerjee.

Economic Milestones Cited

On the economic front, Fadnavis highlighted several figures attributed to the Modi administration. According to the Chief Minister, over 25 crore people have been lifted out of extreme poverty — what he called the 'miracle of the decade.' Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) have channelled ₹58 lakh crore directly into beneficiaries' accounts, while direct tax collections have crossed the ₹27 lakh crore mark.

Capital expenditure on national infrastructure has, according to Fadnavis, surged from ₹2 lakh crore to ₹12 lakh crore, with highway construction progressing at 34 km per day. India's Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is now reportedly active across 30 countries.

Women's Empowerment and Social Welfare

Fadnavis highlighted that under the 'Lakhpati Didis' programme, 3 crore women have achieved financial self-reliance, with a target set to extend that to 6 crore women. The number of women in the armed forces has, he said, risen from 3,000 to 11,000. The free foodgrain scheme, he added, currently ensures food security for 81 crore citizens.

Fiscal Strength Claims

The Chief Minister also made pointed comparisons to previous governments on fiscal resilience. He stated that India's current import cover can sustain the economy for 11 months — a contrast he drew with past United Progressive Alliance (UPA) tenures. He further claimed the country holds enough economic strength to clear 84 per cent of its debt in a single day, and separately referenced a capacity to clear 94 per cent of liabilities almost instantly — recalling a time when organisations such as the World Bank and the IMF had warned India of falling into a debt trap.

Maharashtra-Specific Announcements

Addressing state-level concerns, Fadnavis confirmed that a government sub-committee has been established to oversee Maharashtra's loan waiver programme, which has already benefited 40 lakh farmers. He urged farmers to diversify away from traditional cotton and soybean cycles and to follow government agricultural advisories ahead of the upcoming sowing season, adding that the state would ensure adequate fodder supply for livestock.

As the Modi government enters its thirteenth year, the political messaging from the BJP's state leadership signals a concerted effort to frame the anniversary as a mandate-reinforcing moment heading into future electoral cycles.