'An Exception To Global Trend': Ram Nath Kovind Hails PM Modi's Record-Breaking Tenure

Published 10 June 2026 · india

'An Exception To Global Trend': Ram Nath Kovind Hails PM Modi's Record-Breaking Tenure Published By, Last Updated: June 10, 2026, 09:42 IST President Ram Nath

'An Exception To Global Trend': Ram Nath Kovind Hails PM Modi's Record-Breaking Tenure Published By, Last Updated: June 10, 2026, 09:42 IST President Ram Nath Kovind says PM Modi's 12-year tenure reflects a broader political, cultural and civilisational shift in post-Independence India. Rapid Read File photos of PM Modi/Ramnath Kovind (PTI) As PM Narendra Modi on Wednesday became India’s longest-serving democratically elected Prime Minister, surpassing Jawaharlal Nehru’s record of continuous service in office, former President Ram Nath Kovind described the development as a defining moment in India’s post-Independence journey and argued that the significance of the milestone extends far beyond the number of days spent in office. In an opinion article published in the Hindustan Times, Kovind said June 10, 2026, marks “a special occasion in the history of India after Independence" as PM Modi surpassed Nehru’s tenure and became the country’s longest continuously serving democratically elected Prime Minister. According to Kovind, while the achievement is historic in itself, “PM Modi’s being a tenure longer than that of Nehru does not capture the more important dimensions of what may be called the watershed period for India since Independence." The former President argued that India’s political trajectory underwent a decisive shift after PM Modi assumed office on May 26, 2014. He wrote that the country had moved towards an expression of “Indian-ness" envisioned by leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, BR Ambedkar, Rajendra Prasad, C Rajagopalachari and KM Munshi. In his article, Kovind contrasted PM Modi’s governance model with what he described as the Nehruvian economic framework.

Referring to Rajagopalachari’s criticism of the post-Independence economic structure, he wrote that PM Modi had advanced a development model that moved away from the “quota, permit and licence raj" associated with the “command and control" economy. The former President also highlighted what he viewed as a shift in political discourse regarding India’s democratic traditions. Citing Ambedkar’s remarks in the Constituent Assembly, Kovind noted that democratic practices existed in ancient Indian institutions long before modern Western democracies emerged. According to the article, PM Modi has consistently asserted at international forums that India is the “mother of democracy," drawing attention to India’s ancient democratic ethos. Kovind wrote that “the world is waking up to this fact of India being not only the most ancient but also the largest and most vibrant democracy." INDIA’S ELECTORAL SCALE AND MODI’S POPULARITY The former President pointed to the scale of India’s democracy, noting that the country’s electorate now stands at nearly 100 crore voters. He observed that this figure is almost three times India’s total population at the time of Independence. Kovind also underlined the growing complexity of India’s electoral landscape. He noted that 744 political parties participated in the 2024 general election, compared to just 53 in the country’s first general election in 1951-52. Against that backdrop, he argued that sustaining public trust and meeting rising expectations had become significantly more challenging for contemporary political leaders. “To measure up to such rising expectations and sustain a robust bond of trust with the people is an exceptional success of Modi," Kovind wrote, adding that the Prime Minister’s approval ratings had remained consistently high.