Nara Lokesh offers puja for PM Modi's 25 years in government
Synopsis
TDP's Nara Lokesh crossed a ceremonial threshold on Wednesday — performing a temple puja in PM Modi's name to mark 25 unbroken years in executive office, from Gujarat CM to three-term Prime Minister. The gesture, matched by a congratulatory post from rival Jagan Mohan Reddy, signals how Modi's political longevity has become a talking point that cuts across Andhra Pradesh's sharpest political divides.
Key Takeaways
Nara Lokesh performed a puja at the Venkatapalem temple, Amaravati on 7 October 2026 to mark PM Modi's 25 years in executive office.
Lokesh, TDP Working President and Andhra Pradesh HRD and IT Minister, shared the tribute on social media platform X .
He called Modi the 'Modern Iron Man' and prayed for his health and the fulfilment of the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
Former CM and YSRCP president Y.S.
Jagan Mohan Reddy also congratulated Modi, calling it 'a historic milestone in public service.' Modi's 25-year unbroken executive tenure spans three terms as Gujarat Chief Minister and three terms as Prime Minister since 2014 .
Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, performed a special puja at the Venkatapalem temple in Amaravati in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking the completion of 25 years of Modi's unbroken tenure in executive office — first as Chief Minister of Gujarat and subsequently as Prime Minister of India.
The Occasion and the Gesture
Lokesh, who also serves as Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Working President and is the son of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, shared word of the puja on social media platform X. 'To mark the completion of 25 years of Mr. Modi's journey — which began as the Chief Minister of Gujarat — I performed special prayers in his name at the Venkatapalem temple in Amaravati,' he said.
The minister prayed for the good health and longevity of what he called the 'Modern Iron Man,' and for the realisation of Modi's stated vision of a 'Viksit Bharat' (Developed India) by 2047.
Lokesh's Tribute on X
Ahead of the puja, Lokesh had shared a longer tribute on X, tracing the arc of Modi's career across 25 years. 'From Gujarat to New Delhi, PM Narendra Modi Ji's journey has been defined by vision, decisive leadership and an unwavering commitment to India's development. A generation of Indians has seen our country grow more confident, more ambitious and more respected on the global stage under his leadership,' Lokesh wrote.
He added: 'As we work towards Viksit Bharat 2047, his ability to think big, focus on detail and execute at scale continues to inspire all of us in public life. Congratulations sir on completing this remarkable milestone. Wishing you many more years of service to Bharat.'
Jagan Mohan Reddy Also Extends Greetings
Notably, the felicitations crossed party lines. Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) President Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy — currently the principal opposition figure in the state — also congratulated Modi on the milestone via a post on X.
'A historic milestone in public service that should not go unnoticed. Heartiest greetings to Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji on completing 25 years of continuous public service, first as Chief Minister of Gujarat and then as Prime Minister of India. Wishing you the very best,' Jagan Mohan Reddy wrote.
Context: 25 Years of Executive Office
Modi was first sworn in as Chief Minister of Gujarat in October 2001, going on to serve three consecutive terms before leading the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to a national majority in 2014. He has since been re-elected Prime Minister in 2019 and 2024, making the 25-year unbroken run a milestone rarely achieved in Indian democratic politics. The TDP's effusive tribute reflects the party's close alliance with the BJP at the Centre, an alignment that has shaped Andhra Pradesh's infrastructure and special-status negotiations in recent years.
The outpouring of tributes — from both the ruling alliance and the principal opposition — underscores how Modi's political longevity has become a reference point across the ideological spectrum in Indian state politics.
Point of View
Not merely a personal one — the TDP's alliance with the BJP at the Centre is central to Andhra Pradesh's ongoing negotiations over special-category status and infrastructure funding, and visible deference to Modi is part of that calculus. What is more striking is Jagan Mohan Reddy's parallel tribute: the YSRCP, which spent years in sharp opposition to both the TDP and the Centre, choosing to publicly honour Modi's milestone suggests that even opposition parties now see political cost in silence on this occasion. The 25-year marker is real, but in Indian politics, no temple puja is purely devotional.
NationPress
7 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Nara Lokesh perform a puja for PM Modi in Amaravati?
Nara Lokesh performed the puja at the Venkatapalem temple in Amaravati to mark the completion of PM Narendra Modi's 25 years in continuous executive office, beginning as Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2001. The TDP Working President said he prayed for Modi's health and the realisation of the Viksit Bharat vision.
What is the significance of PM Modi's 25-year milestone?
PM Modi completed 25 unbroken years in executive roles on 7 October 2026 — first serving multiple terms as Gujarat Chief Minister from October 2001, then as Prime Minister since May 2014. The unbroken stretch across state and national office is considered rare in Indian democratic politics.
Did opposition leaders also congratulate PM Modi on this milestone?
Yes. Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSRCP President Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy posted congratulations on X, calling it 'a historic milestone in public service.' The gesture was notable given that the YSRCP is the principal opposition party to the TDP-led state government.
Who is Nara Lokesh and what is his political position?
Nara Lokesh is the Andhra Pradesh Minister for Human Resources Development and Information Technology, and serves as Working President of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). He is also the son of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
What is 'Viksit Bharat 2047' that Lokesh referred to?
Viksit Bharat 2047 is PM Modi's stated vision of transforming India into a fully developed nation by 2047, the centenary of Indian independence. It is a central theme of BJP-led government policy and is frequently cited by allied parties, including the TDP.
