Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Central Parliamentary Board member and former Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa on Wednesday, 7 October praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership as an inspiration for all, saying it was firmly rooted in the principle of Antyodaya — service to the last person in the line. His remarks came at the concluding ceremony of the Seva Jyothi Yatra, held at the Shankaramatha playground on Dr M.C. Modi Hospital Road in Bengaluru.

The Occasion and Its Significance

The event was organised as part of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, a BJP-led initiative to commemorate Prime Minister Modi's 25 years of continuous governance. Yediyurappa described the milestone as a defining moment in Indian political history, noting that Modi first served as Gujarat Chief Minister for 13 years before assuming office as Prime Minister of India, a role he has now held for 12 years.

'This is a special occasion as Narendra Modi completes 25 years of meaningful service in public life. Through the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, we are remembering and celebrating his service to the nation,' Yediyurappa said at the event.

What Yediyurappa Said About Modi's Governance

Yediyurappa characterised Modi's approach to politics as service-driven rather than power-seeking. 'As Chief Minister and Prime Minister, he has continuously worked with the single resolve of bringing about a transformation in the lives of ordinary citizens,' he said. He added that Modi had devoted his entire life to the country and that it was 'a matter of pride for every Indian' that such a leader was at the helm.

Notably, the Antyodaya principle — derived from the philosophy of serving the most marginalised — has been a recurring theme in BJP's framing of Modi's welfare outreach, cited to underpin schemes such as direct-benefit transfers, housing for the poor, and rural electrification drives.

Call to Party Workers

Beyond the tribute, Yediyurappa used the platform to mobilise BJP workers on the ground. He called upon them to take a personal-contact pledge as an expression of their admiration for the Prime Minister, and urged them to carry forward the spirit of service that the Seva Jyothi Yatra sought to embody. The emphasis on grassroots outreach signals the party's intent to use the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan as both a commemorative and organisational exercise ahead of upcoming electoral cycles in Karnataka.

Context and Background

The Seva Sankalp Abhiyan is part of a broader BJP effort to mark Modi's governance milestone through events across the country. The Bengaluru leg, with Yediyurappa — a towering figure in Karnataka politics and a long-time Modi ally — at the helm, underscores the significance the party attaches to the state. Yediyurappa, who helmed the Karnataka government before stepping down in 2021, remains one of the most influential BJP leaders in southern India. His participation lends regional weight to what is essentially a national party campaign.