Narendra Modi Becomes Longest-Serving Elected Prime Minister in Indian History

Kathmandu. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set a new and historic record in the country's politics. On Wednesday, Modi became the longest-serving 'elected' Prime Minister in India's history.

Modi, who took oath as Prime Minister for the first time on May 26, 2014, set this new record on Wednesday by completing 4,399 days in office. Previously, this record was held by India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. Nehru had led the country for 4,398 days as an elected Prime Minister. Surpassing Nehru's record, Modi has become the longest-serving elected leader in India's history, continuously leading the country. Currently, Modi is serving his third consecutive term as Prime Minister of India.

In the context of this historic record, it is important to understand the difference between 'appointed' and 'elected' terms. After India gained independence from British rule on August 15, 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru was directly appointed Prime Minister. His first term, from August 15, 1947, to May 13, 1952, totaling 1,732 days, was as a direct appointee, not elected by parliament.

Subsequently, India held its first general election in 1952. After the Congress came to power, the parliamentary party elected Nehru as its leader. Having won the election, Nehru served as an elected Prime Minister from May 13, 1952, to May 27, 1964, for a continuous period of 4,398 days. Modi has broken the record of Nehru's elected tenure.

Continuity in any position without interruption is termed a continuous term, as Modi has been in office continuously since May 26, 2014. On the other hand, 'total tenure' is calculated by adding periods served in the same position at different times, as former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee served as Prime Minister in three different terms.

To mark the completion of 12 years of the Modi government and celebrate this historic record, an important meeting of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is being held on Wednesday afternoon at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Chief Ministers, Deputy Chief Ministers, and key leaders from 22 BJP and NDA-ruled states and union territories will be present at the meeting.

A proposal congratulating Modi for achieving this record will be passed at the meeting. Additionally, the meeting will seriously discuss the roadmap for 'Developed India-2047', coordination between the center and states, development projects, and further advancing 'Ease of Living' and 'Ease of Doing Business'.