NEW DELHI: Top leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will gather in the national capital on Wednesday to celebrate two major milestones: the alliance completing 12 years in power and Prime Minister Narendra Modi becoming the country’s longest-serving elected Prime Minister in an uninterrupted tenure.
PM Modi has surpassed the record of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, by completing 4,399 consecutive days in office across three democratic mandates. The landmark occasion has turned highly celebratory for the ruling coalition, especially as the rival INDIA bloc faces a visible setback amid an internal implosion within the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Nearly 75 representatives from about 35 political parties are expected to attend the conclave. Informed sources said the proceedings and the official resolution will be dominated by the achievements of the government alongside PM Modi’s personal milestone. Chief Ministers of all 22 NDA-governed states and Union Territories will be present at the meeting, which will also be attended by the Prime Minister.
The NDA meet comes just days after 23 opposition parties met under the banner of the INDIA bloc. The contrast in the mood and context between the twin gatherings of the country’s principal political poles remains stark.
Meanwhile, global leaders and foreign dignitaries on Tuesday extended their congratulations to PM Modi on his achievement. Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated on X that the milestone is a testament to the “trust and confidence that people of the world’s largest democracy have repeatedly placed in his leadership,” adding that Sri Lanka looks forward to strengthening enduring bilateral ties.
Papua New Guinea’s PM James Marape and Trinidad and Tobago’s PM Kamla Persad-Bissessar lauded Modi as “a role model and an example of leadership,” noting that India has emerged as a “leading voice on global matters.”
From the United States, Ambassador Sergio Gor said the achievement reflected PM Modi’s years of service, calling it “a powerful testament to his decades of dedicated public service and leadership.” US Senator John Cornyn also described the tenure as transformational on X, noting leadership earned through the trust of 1.4 billion people, lifting 250 million out of poverty, and making India the world’s fastest-growing major economy.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim extended heartiest congratulations, describing the milestone as a reflection of Modi’s commitment to public service and advancing India’s development, prosperity, and global standing.
Domestically, BJP leader Nitin Nabin highlighted India’s economic resilience, stating that despite global headwinds, India has remained the largest growing major economy, supported by recent official data showing an impressive 7.7% growth in the last fiscal year.
On the parliamentary front, amid clear signs of a split in the TMC and rebel Lok Sabha MPs veering toward supporting the government, the NDA is preparing to counter the setback inflicted by a united opposition in the last Parliament session. The opposition had previously defeated the government’s bid to amend the women’s reservation law, but the NDA leadership believes that legislative numbers will sooner or later align favorably to secure the required two-third majority.
