Chief Minister Naidu launches Modi's 25-year service celebration in Varanasi

Politicians from across Andhra Pradesh's factional divide, including rivals who share little common ground, extended birthday wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he turned 76, with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu travelling to Varanasi to launch a month-long campaign honouring the PM's quarter-century in elected office.

Naidu joins national launch in Varanasi

Mr. Naidu, who himself is 76, arrived in Varanasi to kick off the BJP's 'Seva Sankalp Abhiyan', a celebration of Mr. Modi's 25 years in elected positions that will run until October 17. "As India's longest-serving democratically elected Prime Minister, your leadership has been truly historic," Mr. Naidu wrote on X. He added that the Prime Minister's "vision of Seva, Sankalp, and Sushasan continues to inspire 140 crore citizens across the nation," and prayed that Lord Venkateswara grant Mr. Modi a long life "in service to Bharat".

Deputy CM highlights Centre's Andhra support

Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan posted a video message tracing Mr. Modi's journey "from a small house in Vadnagar" through Operation Sindoor and the launch of UPI. He thanked the Prime Minister for what he described as invaluable support to Andhra Pradesh, specifically naming Amaravati, the Polavaram irrigation project, Bhogapuram airport and the Visakhapatnam corridor. "The support extended by you to Andhra Pradesh is truly invaluable and beyond measure," Mr. Pawan Kalyan wrote, framing the PM's career as proof that "public service demands sacrifice, perseverance and an unwavering commitment to the Nation".

IT and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh echoed the theme of personal trajectory, calling Mr. Modi's rise "from humble beginnings to leading the world's largest democracy" deeply inspiring.

Opposition leader joins chorus

Former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, now in opposition, kept his message brief: "May God bless him with good health, long life and the strength to serve the nation". The Governor, writing from Lok Bhavan, credited Mr. Modi's "transformative governance and landmark economic reforms" for making India "the fastest-growing major global economy".

Source: The Hindu