On Tuesday, September 17, 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi turns 74. The leader with the global presence has unyielding commitment to his vision, strategic acumen and a deep connection with the citizens of the country. These make him one of the most formidable leaders in contemporary Indian politics.
On PM Modi’s birthday, we look at a remarkable journey that has spanned over two decades. From his early political roots in Rajkot in 2002 to his commanding presence in Varanasi in 2024, Modi’s rise to prominence has been nothing short of extraordinary.
Modi first entered the electoral arena in February 2002 with a by-election for the Gujarat Legislative Assembly from the Rajkot II constituency. Later that same year, he contested and won the Maninagar seat.
Modi was re-elected from Maninagar in 2007 and 2012, holding the seat until 2014, when he assumed the role of Prime Minister of India.
In the 2014 general elections, Modi ran for Lok Sabha seats in two constituencies – Varanasi and Vadodara. He emerged victorious in both, defeating Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal in Varanasi and Madhusudan Mistry of the Indian National Congress (INC) in Vadodara.
To adhere to regulations prohibiting a representative from holding seats in multiple constituencies, he chose to retain the Varanasi seat and vacated Vadodara. Modi was subsequently re-elected from Varanasi in 2019 and in 2024.
Narendra Modi’s Early Triumph: Rajkot 2002
Narendra Modi made his initial foray into the electoral landscape in February 2002 with a by-election for the Gujarat Legislative Assembly from the Rajkot II constituency. Modi, then the Chief Minister of Gujarat, won the seat with a notable margin of 14,728 votes, solidifying his political standing and legitimacy.
In February 2024, Modi said: “Rajkot will always have a very special place in my heart. It was the people of this city who put their faith in me, giving me my first ever electoral win. Since then, I have always worked to do justice to the aspirations of the Janta Janardan.”
Gujarat Legislative Assembly Election 2002: Maninagar Success
Following his resignation and the dissolution of the Gujarat Legislative Assembly in July 2002, elections were held eight months ahead of schedule. Modi contested from the Maninagar constituency and won comfortably, defeating Congress’ candidate Yatinbhai Oza. This victory marked a significant step in his political career, reaffirming his position as Gujarat’s Chief Minister.
2007 Gujarat Legislative Assembly Election: A Third Term
In the 2007 Gujarat Legislative Assembly election, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Modi, won 117 out of 182 seats — a decrease of ten seats from 2002. Modi contested from Maninagar once again and secured a decisive victory, enabling him to assume the role of Chief Minister of Gujarat for the third time.
2012 Gujarat Legislative Assembly Election: Consolidating Power
The 2012 Gujarat Legislative Assembly election saw Modi’s continued dominance, with the BJP winning 115 of the state’s 182 seats. Under his leadership, the BJP’s performance was strong, while the INC, led by Shaktisinh Gohil, won only 60 seats. This further cemented Modi’s reputation as a formidable political leader.
2014 Indian General Election: ‘Ab Ki Baar Modi Sarkar’
The 2014 general elections were a turning point for Modi and the BJP. The party won 282 seats with 31 per cent of the vote, and, together with its allies in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), secured a total of 336 seats. Campaigning under the slogan “Ab Ki Baar Modi Sarkar,” the BJP achieved a majority in the Lok Sabha for the first time.
Modi won in both Vadodara and Varanasi, although he chose to retain the Varanasi seat and vacated Vadodara to comply with electoral regulations.
2019 Indian General Election: A Resounding Victory
In the 2019 general elections, Modi led the BJP to another significant victory, with the party garnering 37 per cent of the vote — the highest share for any political party since the 1989 elections. This victory allowed Modi to be sworn in as Prime Minister for a second term, reinforcing his dominance on the national stage.
2024 Indian General Election: Third Term & Coalition Government
On 7 June 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi confirmed the support of 293 MPs for Droupadi Murmu, the President of India.
This election marked Modi’s third term as Prime Minister and his first experience leading a coalition government. Key allies in this coalition included the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) of Andhra Pradesh and the Janata Dal (United) of Bihar, reflecting Modi’s ability to adapt and secure broad-based support.
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From Rajkot in 2002 to Varanasi in 2024: How Modi has remained invincible in elections
