'New Epoch': How Modi’s Record-Breaking Tenure Reshaped India’s Political Template | WATCH

Published 10 June 2026 · india

'New Epoch': How Modi’s Record-Breaking Tenure Reshaped India’s Political Template | WATCH Published By, Last Updated: June 10, 2026, 11:28 IST As Narendra Modi becomes

'New Epoch': How Modi’s Record-Breaking Tenure Reshaped India’s Political Template | WATCH Published By, Last Updated: June 10, 2026, 11:28 IST As Narendra Modi becomes India's longest-serving elected Prime Minister, panelists say his 4399 day tenure marks a new epoch. Moneycontrol Managing Editor Nalin Mehta, Network18 Consulting Editor Rahul Shivshankar and CNN-News18 Managing Editor Anand Narasimhan discuss Modi's historic tenure as PM. As Prime Minister Narendra Modi completed 4,399 days in office to become India’s longest-serving democratically elected Prime Minister, Moneycontrol Managing Editor Nalin Mehta, Network18 Consulting Editor Rahul Shivshankar and CNN-News18 Managing Editor Anand Narasimhan said during a panel discussion that the milestone was more than a longevity record, describing it as the creation of a “new epoch" in Indian politics. Speaking on the programme, Mehta said Modi’s tenure has fundamentally altered the country’s political template in a manner that will outlast his own career. #TakeThree | Modi’s Historic Tenure: A New Era in Indian Politics“Nehru symbolized an epoch—it was difficult to think about what would happen after him. Narendra Modi has created a new epoch for himself": @nalinmehta “Nehru symbolised an epoch, and it was felt that Nehru was India and after that India’s democracy would collapse. Modi also symbolises a new epoch. It was unthinkable after Nehru that you would have a leader with such longevity who defines an epoch in a way that will far outlive his own political trajectory," he said. Drawing a comparison with Jawaharlal Nehru’s influence on post-Independence India, Mehta said Nehru’s ideas shaped Indian politics for decades, while Modi has introduced a distinctly different framework.

“The idea of Nehruvian India defined Indian politics for about 40-50 years. Until Modi came in and made a clear break from the past, the idea of Bharat that Modi has brought in is very different and will long define the template of Indian politics," Mehta said. ‘First Non-Congress PM To Hold Power For Such Long Period’ Meanwhile, Shivshankar argued that Modi represents the first non-Congress Prime Minister to hold office for such a prolonged period while building an alternative ideological and political model. He said Modi has sought to combine “a civilisational objective" with market-oriented economics while placing welfare at the centre of governance. According to him, Modi has transformed the BJP from a Hindi-heartland party into a pan-India political force. “He has transformed a political party into a pan-India movement… Today it has become the default party of governance," Shivshankar said. ‘India’s Raised Global Profile’ The discussion also highlighted India’s enhanced international profile during Modi’s tenure. He said India now occupies a stronger position in global diplomacy, adding that the Prime Minister has helped establish both himself and the country as global brands. “He has significantly raised India’s global profile… India now stands as a brand of its own at the high table of diplomacy," Shivshankar said. Modi Vs Nehru: Political Journeys Of India’s Two PMs The panel also noted that Modi’s political journey differs significantly from that of India’s first Prime Minister. “Nehru was born into the elite and into the party that led India’s Independence movement, the natural party of governance after Independence.