Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, called the day a 'golden and epoch-making day in the history of Indian democracy' as Prime Minister Narendra Modi marked 25 consecutive years at the helm of government — first as Chief Minister of Gujarat and then as Prime Minister of India. Shah made the remarks at the 'Viksit Bharat Sankalp Sabha – Seva Jyoti Yatra' event held in Gurugram, organised under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan to commemorate the milestone.

Shah's Tribute to Modi

Addressing the gathering, Home Minister Amit Shah said, 'October 7 marks a golden and epoch-making day in the history of Indian democracy. Today, a person born into a poor family has, through his abilities and by taking crores of people along, set a record of serving as Chief Minister and Prime Minister for 25 consecutive years. That person is our beloved leader, Narendra Modi.'

Shah went on to enumerate what he described as defining achievements of the past two-and-a-half decades. 'Whenever the history of India is written, these 25 years will be written in golden letters. These 25 years have seen freedom from poverty, a secure India, the abrogation of Article 370, the end of Naxalism, the construction of the Ram Janmabhoomi and Kashi Vishwanath temples, infrastructure being taken to unprecedented levels, and 25 crore poor people being lifted above the poverty line,' he said.

The Seva Jyoti Yatra

The event in Gurugram featured the launch of the Seva Jyoti Yatra, in which young participants were to carry a torch approximately 800 metres and install it at a designated crossing. Shah announced he would light the torch in the presence of the gathering alongside Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini and flag off the youth contingent.

'I urge all of you to join the yatra in as large numbers as possible,' Shah told the audience, framing the march as a public expression of gratitude for Modi's tenure.

Key Claims and Context

Shah's claim that 25 crore people have been lifted above the poverty line reflects the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s central narrative heading into state and national electoral cycles. The figure has been cited frequently by government sources, though independent economists note that the methodology for measuring poverty reduction varies across studies. Modi became Chief Minister of Gujarat in October 2001, before assuming the office of Prime Minister in May 2014 — making the 25-year count a combined tally of both roles.

This comes amid a broader BJP outreach programme under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, with similar events reportedly being organised across multiple states to mark the milestone.

Shah's Closing Words

'These 25 years are about the welfare of citizens; it is 25 years of the country's pride. On this day, I pray to God to grant PM Modi a long and healthy life and allow him to lead the country for many more years,' Shah said in his closing remarks. The event signals the BJP's intent to use the anniversary as a large-scale political and outreach moment ahead of upcoming electoral contests.