Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has accused the BJP of “twisting and distorting history” after the ruling party celebrated Prime Minister Narendra Modi completing 12 years in office and highlighted his record as India's longest-serving elected Prime Minister. The remarks have sparked a fresh political debate over how the tenures of India's Prime Ministers should be compared.
Kharge's criticism came after BJP leaders and party supporters hailed Modi for surpassing the record of India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, in terms of continuous tenure as an elected Prime Minister. Congress leaders argued that the BJP was creating a new category to project Modi as the longest-serving Prime Minister while ignoring historical facts.
Addressing party workers and speaking to the media, Kharge alleged that the BJP was attempting to rewrite history for political gain. He claimed that Nehru remains India's longest-serving Prime Minister overall, having held the office from 1947 until his death in 1964. According to Kharge, introducing distinctions such as "longest-serving elected Prime Minister" was an effort to selectively present historical records.
The BJP, however, has maintained that Modi has achieved a unique democratic milestone by serving continuously as an elected Prime Minister for 12 years following successive electoral victories. Party leaders described the achievement as a reflection of sustained public support and highlighted the government's work in infrastructure, welfare schemes, digital governance, and India's global standing.
The exchange comes amid celebrations marking the completion of 12 years of the Modi government at the Centre. BJP leaders across the country have organized events and campaigns showcasing the government's achievements, while opposition parties have used the occasion to question its record on issues such as unemployment, inflation, and economic inequality.
Political analysts note that the disagreement largely revolves around differing interpretations of historical records rather than the actual length of service. While Nehru remains the longest-serving Prime Minister in India's history by total tenure, BJP leaders emphasize Modi's uninterrupted tenure following repeated electoral mandates.
The latest war of words reflects the broader political contest between the BJP and Congress as both parties seek to shape public perception ahead of future electoral battles. With the Modi government's anniversary becoming a focal point of political messaging, debates over legacy, governance, and historical records are likely to remain at the center of national political discourse in the coming weeks.
