Vadnagar, Sept 2026 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 25-year political journey, saying that no political leader in independent India had completed 25 years while serving as the head of a state government and subsequently as the head of the Union government.
Shah was speaking at the launch of the ‘Seva Sankalp Abhiyan’ at Sharmishtha Lake in Vadnagar, Modi’s birthplace. The campaign is being organised from September 17 to October 7 to mark the Prime Minister’s birthday and his completion of 25 years in public life.
As part of the programme, a Vadnagar-to-Varanasi Seva Yatra was also flagged off, connecting Modi’s birthplace with Varanasi, his parliamentary constituency and political “karmabhoomi”. Shah said the campaign would take the message of Modi’s 25 years of public service to people across the country.
“Since the country became independent till today, no politician has made a record of serving for 25 years as the head of a state and as the head of the country,” Shah said.
He said October 7 would mark 25 years since Modi first became Chief Minister of Gujarat in 2001. Modi subsequently became Prime Minister in 2014 and is currently serving his third consecutive term.
Shah said the BJP and its National Democratic Alliance partners had decided to take the milestone to people through a nationwide campaign. He said the Vadnagar-Varanasi journey would carry the message of Modi’s work through villages across seven states.
According to Shah, around 300 bikers from Vadnagar and another 300 from Varanasi would participate in the journey. The 600 riders would connect Hatkeshwar Mahadev in Vadnagar with Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi.
Shah said the campaign was not intended merely as a birthday celebration but was also aimed at acquainting younger generations with Modi’s life and public career.
Shah Highlights Governance and Economic Changes
During his address, Shah contrasted what he described as the situation before Modi became Prime Minister with developments after 2014. Recalling his travels across different parts of India between 2010 and 2013, he said he had witnessed public disappointment over corruption allegations, internal security concerns and questions regarding national security.
“When Modi ji became prime minister in 2014, and in 2026, 140 crore Indians are moving forward with enthusiasm, resolve and hope that by 2047 India will be foremost in the world,” Shah said.
He claimed that the Union government inherited a period of “policy paralysis” in 2014 and subsequently introduced what he described as clearer and more decisive policies.
Shah referred to India’s economic growth, saying the country had moved from the grouping commonly described as the “Fragile Five” to becoming the fastest-growing major economy. He cited initiatives such as the Goods and Services Tax, Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile framework and direct benefit transfers.
He also mentioned banking reforms, foreign direct investment and production-linked incentive schemes, linking them to growth in manufacturing and investment.
Infrastructure development was another major focus of his address. Shah pointed to expansion in roads, railways, airports, ports and digital infrastructure. He said the number of airports had increased from 75 to 150 and highlighted PM Gati Shakti as an initiative aimed at coordinating infrastructure development through technology and time-bound implementation.
Shah also referred to Digital India and Startup India, saying these programmes had created new opportunities for young people. He added that improved connectivity in border areas had contributed to national security.
National Security and Social Initiatives
On national security and legal reforms, Shah cited the abrogation of Article 370, abolition of triple talaq, enactment of the Citizenship Amendment Act and introduction of new criminal laws.
He also referred to the government’s stated objective of eliminating Naxalism, peace agreements in the Northeast and military operations including the surgical strikes, air strikes and Operation Sindoor.
Shah highlighted what he described as expanding opportunities for women in areas including the armed forces, police, science, startups, drones and sports.
He also referred to Eklavya Model Residential Schools, PM Janman and the Vibrant Villages Programme in the context of tribal development.
The construction of the new Parliament building and installation of the Sengol were also cited by Shah as measures that he said had strengthened “national consciousness”.
In the field of science and technology, he mentioned Chandrayaan, Aditya-L1 and Shiv Shakti Point, while also referring to One Rank One Pension and the creation of the Chief of Defence Staff.
Gujarat Chief Minister Years
Shah also discussed Modi’s tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister, highlighting initiatives related to electricity supply, agriculture, tribal welfare, coastal development, industry and education.
He cited the provision of round-the-clock electricity to villages, the Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana, the Sagarkhedu development scheme, industrial development and the Vibrant Gujarat investment summits.
Shah said reliable electricity had implications beyond household convenience, arguing that it helped create conditions for business, education, healthcare and infrastructure.
“This is not only a question of convenience. As soon as electricity arrived, business arrived. As soon as electricity arrived, education arrived. As soon as electricity arrived, health arrived. As soon as electricity arrived, infrastructure arrived,” he said.
He said the Vanbandhu and Sagarkhedu schemes were designed to extend development to tribal communities and villages along Gujarat’s coastline, describing the approach as “sarvasparshi” and “sarvasamaveshi”.
Shah concluded by linking the development experience in Gujarat with Modi’s subsequent political journey at the national level. He said the Gujarat model formed an important part of the political mandate that brought Modi to the Prime Minister’s Office in 2014.
The Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, meanwhile, will continue until October 7, with programmes across the country focusing on Modi’s 25 years in public life and various welfare and public-service activities.
