Finance
Narendra Modi declared during his campaign that he wanted the BJP-led NDA alliance to win more than 400 seats, using the slogan “Ab ki baar, 400 paar.”
Even though the BJP-led alliance had crossed the crucial 272 mark, the INDI alliance vigorously opposed the NDA, transforming the election from what was perceived as a one-sided contest into a “kaante ki takkar.”
According to the vote count on Tuesday, June 4, Modi’s party would require the support of its alliance partners in order to surpass the 272 majority threshold in the 543-seat lower house of parliament, unlike the last two elections.
However, in the end, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emerged victorious, creating history and becoming one of the select few to govern the country for more than ten years.
With 14 prime ministers in India, the 73-year-old is presently the fourth-longest serving prime minister.
Let’s look back at some of the longest serving Prime Ministers of India:
Jawaharlal Nehru (Congress)
Tenure: 1947-1964
Duration: 16 years, 286 days
Jawaharlal Nehru was India’s first and longest-serving Prime Minister. He led from 1947 until he died in 1964 and played a key role in building a modern India. Mr Nehru initiated several important projects, including big factories and dams and promoted scientific education. He also helped establish India’s foreign policy of non-alignment, keeping the country independent of the US and Soviet Union during the Cold War.
Indira Gandhi (Congress)
Tenure: 1966-1977, 1980-1984
Duration: 15 years, 350 days
Indira Gandhi, the first woman Prime Minister of India, served nearly 16 years over four terms. Her time in office was marked by vents like the nationalisation of banks, the Green Revolution and the Emergency (1975-1977). She also led India to victory in the 1971 war with Pakistan, which led to the creation of Bangladesh.
Narendra Modi (BJP)
Tenure: 2014-Present
Duration: 10 years, 19 days
Narendra Modi, the current Prime Minister, seeks a third consecutive term after assuming office in 2014. He is recognised for his reforms and dynamic foreign policy, earning praise both at home and abroad. His second term (2019) focused on economic revitalisation, infrastructure and global engagement.
Manmohan Singh (Congress)
Tenure: 2004-2014
Duration: 10 years, 4 days
Manmohan Singh, an economist, served as Prime Minister for 10 years. He is known for continuing economic reforms that helped India’s economy grow rapidly. Mr Singh’s government introduced important laws like the Right to Education Act and worked to improve technology and infrastructure in India.
