25 years of PM Modi’s leadership: The steady rise of BJP from Gujarat to Delhi – decoded in numbers | India News
On this day twenty-five years ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took oath as the chief minister of Gujarat — a moment that would shape not just his political journey but also the trajectory of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Under his leadership, the BJP has grown exponentially, expanding its footprint across states and consolidating its influence at the Centre.As he completes a 25 years in public service, here’s looking at his major milestonesLongest-serving chief minister of GujaratAppointed Gujarat’s chief minister in 2001 to replace Keshubhai Patel, PM Modi took charge amid post-earthquake challenges and political instability. He led the BJP to three consecutive assembly wins — in 2002, 2007, and 2012 — becoming the state’s longest-serving CM. His governance style in the state came to be known as the “Gujarat Model”.
PM Modi took oath as Gujarat CM in 2001
The face of BJP’s national resurgence2014 was a watershed moment. He led the BJP to its first solo majority in three decades, ending the coalition era and reducing Congress to 44 seats. This victory marked the end of coalition politics and established the BJP as a dominant force. Congress experienced its worst-ever performance. As a result, there was no official leader of the opposition in the 16th Lok Sabha, as a party needed at least 10% of the seats (55 seats) to qualify.Third longest-serving Prime MinisterSurpassing predecessors like Dr. Manmohan Singh and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, PM Modi now ranks as the third longest-serving Prime Minister of the country. This feat makes him the first non-Congress leader to achieve such a long and consequential tenure, a period exceeded only by Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi.
Third longest-serving Prime Minister
Led BJP to full majorityUnder PM Modi’s leadership, the BJP delivered two stunning electoral performances. In 2014 and 2019, the BJP won 282 and 303 Lok Sabha seats respectively — both clear majorities. Even in 2024, though the party fell short of a solo majority with 240 seats, the NDA coalition retained power with the support of Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu.
Year-on-year trend
A global leaderPM Modi’s approval ratings consistently rank among the highest for global democratic leaders. According to global intelligence firm Morning Consult, Prime Minister Modi’s domestic approval rating consistently hovers around 75%. His approval rating is over 30 points higher than that of the US President Donald Trump.Expanding BJP’s footprint across statesThe BJP’s geographical growth under his tenure has been transformative. When he took office nationally in 2014, the NDA governed seven states. By mid-2024, the coalition had successfully expanded its rule to 18 states. The party’s presence deepened in regions once seen as out of bounds, from the Northeast to southern India.Social mediaLeveraging digital platforms for immediate communication, PM Modi is one of the most followed world leaders, commanding over 108 million followers on X, formerly known as Twitter. His adept use of social media has created a direct communication channel with citizens, bypassing traditional media filters.
World leader and their X followers
Parliamentary strengthThe party’s parliamentary strength has grown dramatically, increasing from 161 Lok Sabha and 49 Rajya Sabha seats in 2013 to a current strength of 240 and 102, respectively. Furthermore, the Congress’s failure to secure the required 10% seats meant the leader of opposition post remained vacant for two consecutive terms (2014 and 2019).
BJP’s vote-share surgeIllustrating the surge in popular support, the BJP’s national vote share saw a 12-point jump, rising sharply from 18.8% in 2009 to 31% in 2014. It peaked in 2019 to 37.36% before a marginal dip in 2024, when the NDA still formed the government.Economic transformationUnder his leadership, India’s economic scale has achieved a significant milestone, more than doubling its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in just under ten years. According to the IMF, the economy has surged with 103.1% growth in nominal GDP under the Narendra Modi government, rising from $2.1 trillion in 2015 (when his first term was less than a year in office) to a current standing of $4.3 trillion.
