Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday, 17 September 2026, declared that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's political opponents had not been able to level a single corruption charge against him in 25 years of public life — remarks made during a birthday celebration event in Vadnagar, Gujarat, the Prime Minister's birthplace.

Key Remarks at Sharmishtha Lake

Addressing a gathering at Sharmishtha Lake during the launch of the 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan', Shah offered an extensive account of Modi's personal and political record. 'For 25 years of public life, there has not been a single stain on his kurta. Even his opponents, even those in the Opposition, cannot accuse Modi ji of corruption,' Shah said.

He drew on an extended metaphor, comparing Modi's political career to a lotus — thriving without being marked by the difficult environment around it. Shah also noted that despite holding the country's most powerful offices for a quarter-century, Modi had no visible political family network, a point he contrasted with what he described as dynastic tendencies in rival political formations.

The 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan' and Birthday Programme

The event marked Prime Minister Modi turning 76 on Thursday. The 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan', launched on the occasion, is scheduled to run until 7 October, coinciding with 25 years of Modi's continuous presence in public office. The Vadnagar programme included a Maha Aarti at Sharmishtha Lake, a march to Hatkeshwar Mahadev Temple, and the launch of a Vadnagar-to-Varanasi service journey. A bike yatra linking Modi's birthplace with Varanasi — his parliamentary constituency — was one of the centrepiece activities.

Shah on Personal Integrity and Family

Shah spoke at length about what he described as Modi's personal simplicity and sparse family footprint in public life. 'Modi ji's family is known to the entire country, because Modi ji has considered India his family,' he said, adding that the Prime Minister regarded the country's people as his own. He noted that despite 25 years in public office, Modi's relatives remained largely unknown to the public — a contrast, he implied, to other political figures.

Shah also said he had worked closely with Modi from his organisational years in Gujarat through his tenure as Chief Minister and subsequently as Prime Minister, lending personal authority to his characterisation.

Padma Awards and the Contrast with Earlier Practices

The Home Minister used the occasion to draw a pointed contrast on the question of official recognition. He said that during his time in Delhi between 2010 and 2013, Padma Awards had reportedly often involved recommendations from influential circles. 'The awards have subsequently come to recognise people working for communities across different states and regions,' he said, suggesting a shift under the current dispensation.

Broader Significance

Shah closed his address with a two-word summary of Modi's political identity — 'Bharat First' — saying the Prime Minister had dedicated himself entirely to the welfare of the country and its people. This comes amid the broader political climate in which corruption and governance credibility remain central themes of electoral contestation. The birthday campaign, stretching to early October, is expected to keep Modi's public image at the centre of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s outreach in the coming weeks.