Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, 7 October 2026 visited the residence of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) patriarch Lal Krishna Advani in New Delhi, seeking the veteran leader's blessings on the day he completed 25 uninterrupted years in executive office. The visit marked a rare convergence of personal tribute and political symbolism as Modi acknowledged the man widely regarded as his political mentor.

A Quarter-Century of Continuous Leadership

Modi's executive tenure began on 7 October 2001, when he was sworn in as Chief Minister of Gujarat, and has continued without a break through three consecutive Chief Ministerial terms and, since May 2014, as the country's Prime Minister. Political observers describe his leadership style as one that combines centralised decision-making with delivery-driven governance and a sustained ability to connect directly with citizens across diverse constituencies.

What the Meeting Signified

Wednesday's meeting at Advani's residence was cordial, with photographs from the visit showing the two leaders together. The Prime Minister has long made it a practice to call on Advani on his birthdays, on each occasion describing the BJP veteran's contribution to the nation as 'monumental' and a source of personal inspiration. The gesture underscored the continuity of leadership that has defined the BJP's trajectory over the past three decades.

Advani's Role in Modi's Rise

As BJP President and later Deputy Prime Minister, Advani was instrumental in strengthening the party's organisational structure and identifying promising leaders across states. Political observers have long credited him with backing Modi's emergence on the national stage and supporting his elevation within the party's leadership hierarchy during the Gujarat years. Modi has repeatedly acknowledged this debt, describing Advani as 'a statesman with a towering vision whose commitment to public life helped shape the BJP's growth.'

Notably, after the BJP secured a second consecutive Lok Sabha majority in May 2019, Modi visited Advani's residence before formally staking claim to form the government — a gesture that reinforced the personal significance of the association.

Cabinet Resolution and BJP Celebrations

The milestone was formally recognised a day earlier when the Union Cabinet adopted a resolution on Tuesday congratulating the Prime Minister on completing a quarter-century of uninterrupted leadership. The resolution, passed amid a standing ovation, described Modi's journey from Gujarat to New Delhi as one guided by the principles of 'Nation First' and 'Citizen First.' Celebrations within the BJP preceded the Cabinet resolution, reflecting the party's emphasis on the occasion as a defining moment in its post-independence history.

As Modi enters his 26th year in executive office, the visit to Advani serves as a marker of where that journey began — and a reminder of the mentorship that helped set its course.