Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Bharatiya Janata Party's Delhi unit president Harsh Malhotra on Monday, 14 September 2026, announced a 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday on 17 September and his 25 years in public service. The centrepiece of the initiative is the inauguration and foundation-stone laying of Yamuna-cleaning projects worth over ₹8,000 crore by the Delhi government.

Yamuna Cleaning at the Heart of the Drive

Chief Minister Gupta framed Yamuna rejuvenation as a commitment that transcends political cycles. 'Yamuna cleaning is a matter of faith for us, for every Indian and every Delhi resident. Therefore, cleaning the Yamuna is not a one-day project for us. We are continuously working on it,' she said, adding that the government would 'dedicate the government's preparations for Yamuna cleaning to the people.'

The ₹8,000 crore project package covers both new inaugurations and foundation-stone ceremonies, signalling a multi-year pipeline of work on a river that has been at the centre of Delhi's political discourse for decades. Notably, the Yamuna's state has been a repeated flashpoint between the previous Aam Aadmi Party administration and the current BJP-led city government.

Key Programmes Under Seva Sankalp Abhiyan

Beyond the Yamuna push, Malhotra outlined two additional pillars of the birthday week drive. A three-day 'Sewa Setu Abhiyan' will be conducted across all constituencies in Delhi to inform citizens about Central government welfare schemes and help eligible residents enrol in them. Separately, a 'Seva First Innovation Challenge' will be rolled out in educational institutions, engaging students in consultation with their teachers and mentors.

The broader observation of Modi's birthday as 'Seva Saptah' or 'Seva Pakhwada' — a week or fortnight of service — is an established BJP practice since at least 2019, used to combine outreach with scheme saturation in constituencies.

Infrastructure and BRICS Cited as Modi's Delhi Legacy

Chief Minister Gupta claimed that infrastructure projects worth ₹1.25 lakh crore have been sanctioned for Delhi under Modi's tenure, spanning completed, ongoing, and planned works. She specifically cited venues Yashobhoomi and Bharat Mandapam as examples that elevated Delhi's global standing, saying they made it possible to host 'such a grand BRICS Summit.'

'The 18th BRICS Summit, led by the Prime Minister, points to India's growing role in the world, which is being recognised globally,' she said, congratulating Modi on the event that brought multiple heads of state to the capital.

25 Years in Public Life: The BJP's Scorecard

Malhotra outlined what the party considers Modi's record across 25 years — 13 years as Gujarat Chief Minister and just over 12 years as Prime Minister. He cited more than 200 welfare schemes launched since 2014, claiming that all 140 crore Indians have benefited from at least one of them.

He specifically highlighted 220 crore Covid-19 vaccine doses administered and free foodgrain provision for 81 crore eligible beneficiaries — a scheme, he said, that remains active and is guaranteed until 2029. 'When the Prime Minister took oath in 2014, he said in Parliament that his government was dedicated to the poor,' Malhotra noted.

What to Watch

The actual inaugurations are scheduled around 17 September, and the scale of the Yamuna project rollout will be closely watched given the river's long history of missed deadlines and unfulfilled cleanup targets across successive governments. Whether the ₹8,000 crore package translates into visible on-ground progress — or remains at the foundation-stone stage — will be the real test of the initiative.