Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 7 October 2026 visited the Shri Vinayak Mandir in Sarojini Nagar, New Delhi, to offer prayers to Lord Ganesha and mark the completion of 25 years as the head of a government — a milestone that began with his oath as Gujarat Chief Minister on 7 October 2001.

PM Modi's Prayer and Message

Sharing the occasion on social media platform X, Prime Minister Modi said: 'Today, I performed worship and rituals at the Shri Vinayak Temple in New Delhi. I prayed to Lord Shri Ganesha for the happiness, prosperity, and good health of my family members across the country. May the grace of Vighnaharta bring welfare to all, and may the nation continue to advance on the path of continuous progress.'

The visit to the temple was both personal and symbolic — an expression of gratitude at a significant juncture in one of independent India's longest uninterrupted tenures at the helm of government.

A 25-Year Political Journey

Prime Minister Modi took oath as Gujarat Chief Minister on 7 October 2001 and served in that post until May 2014, when he was elected Prime Minister. He has continued in the office of Prime Minister since then, making this a continuous 25-year stretch as head of a government — an uncommon record in Indian democratic history.

The Union Cabinet on Tuesday passed a formal resolution congratulating Modi on the milestone, underscoring the political significance the ruling dispensation has attached to the occasion.

Yogi Adityanath Leads the Tributes

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was among the first senior leaders to publicly congratulate the Prime Minister, posting his message on X. 'The completion of 25 glorious years as Head of the Government by the esteemed Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji, who has made 'From Public Service to National Service' the motto of his life and remains ceaselessly dedicated to elevating India's identity, pride, and honor to new heights, is a moment of immense joy for all of us,' he wrote.

Chief Minister Yogi further described Modi's quarter-century in public office as reflecting 'an unwavering commitment to public service, resolute determination, visionary leadership, and the spirit of 'Nation First'.' He added that 'the Prime Minister's life inspires the people of the country to build a developed, self-reliant, and strong India.'

Context and Significance

The milestone comes at a moment when Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is seeking to frame Modi's governance record as a long-arc national transformation story. The combination of a Cabinet resolution, public tributes from chief ministers, and the Prime Minister's own temple visit on the anniversary reflects a carefully organised commemoration. Notably, no sitting Indian Prime Minister since Jawaharlal Nehru has held executive office — at the state or national level — continuously for this long, making the anniversary a historically resonant data point regardless of political affiliation.

How the next phase of Modi's tenure shapes up — particularly on economic delivery and coalition management — will determine whether this milestone is remembered as a turning point or a high-water mark.