On June 10, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold the record of being elected PM continuously for the longest period.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going to make a new record on this 10th June. He will hold the record of remaining elected PM for the longest continuous period in the history of Indian democracy. In this way, he will break the record of the country’s first Prime Minister Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru as PM. In July last year, PM Modi broke Indira Gandhi’s tenure as PM.
Let us try to understand on this pretext where Modi and Nehru stand on the electoral scale? How is Modi winning the elections by facing hundreds of parties and how is Nehru winning continuously?
Times were different then, different now
India’s democracy is very big. It is also constantly changing. The electoral politics we see today is not like that of the 1950s and 1960s. The nature of politics was different then. Today the competition is much more intense. That is why while comparing the electoral successes of Jawaharlal Nehru and Narendra Modi, it is important to look at the society and political environment together. Nehru gave direction to India after independence. He won three consecutive general elections in 1952, 1957 and 1962. On the other hand, Narendra Modi formed the government at the Center three consecutive times in 2014, 2019 and 2024. In 2024, he became Prime Minister for the third time at a time when hundreds of political parties were active in the election field. The result was that NDA got a clear majority in this election but BJP did not.
PM Modi.
Narendra Modi took oath as Prime Minister for the first time on 26 May 2014. Since then, he has taken oath as PM two more times in the year 2019 and 2024 respectively. In this way, his total tenure will be 4399 days on June 10. As the elected PM, Pandit Nehru had served the country for 4398 days. He was nominated Prime Minister on 15 August 1947. But formal general elections were held in the country for the first time in the year 1951-52. Pandit Nehru is still ahead in terms of total tenure as PM. He was the Prime Minister of the country from 15 August 1947 to 27 May 1964.
Congress had a strong hold during Nehru era
India was newly independent during Nehru’s time. The identity of Congress was very strong in the country. Congress was not considered just a political party. He was also the main force of the freedom movement. Because of this, there was emotional trust among the public towards Congress. Even at that time the opposition was present but its influence was relatively less. India was not a legally one-party country. Still, Congress had a strong influence in electoral politics.
The country’s first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Photo: Getty Images
Congress had become almost the natural choice in many states. The opposition was divided into small parties. It had less organization, resources and national identity. Nehru’s popularity was huge in this environment. He was the first Prime Minister of independent India. He used to talk about modern India, democracy and secularism. The public considered him the face of nation building. Therefore Nehru’s victory was not just an electoral victory. It was also the public’s seal of approval on the direction of the new India.
There is competition among hundreds of parties in Modi’s era
The era of Narendra Modi is completely different. Today politics has spread a lot in India. There are national parties. There are regional parties. There are also parties formed on the basis of caste, class, language and region. Many small parties can also change the electoral equation. The elections of 2024 are an example of this new politics. Hundreds of parties were in the fray in this election. The voter was also more aware than before. The influence of media was huge. Social media had made the elections reach every mobile phone. There was debate on every issue. There was different mathematics on every seat. In such an environment, it is not easy to come to power for the third consecutive time.
When Narendra Modi became PM for the third time, it was a big step towards creating a record. Photo: PTI
Modi formed a government with absolute majority in 2014. In the year 2019, he returned with a bigger mandate but in the year 2024, BJP fell short of the majority on its own, but the National Democratic Alliance got the majority. On the basis of this, Modi became Prime Minister for the third time. This achievement places him among the most prominent Prime Ministers after Nehru to serve three consecutive terms.
What was the basis of victory of both the leaders?
The basis of Nehru’s victory was different. He had the legacy of the freedom movement. He had a huge organization of Congress. The opposition was weak in front of him. Political options in the country were limited. The people wanted stability. Nehru was a symbol of that stability. The basis of Modi’s victory is different. He has a strong leadership image. His politics includes nationalism, welfare schemes and organizational strength. The electoral structure of BJP is very strong. Modi developed a style of communicating directly with the voters. He made the schemes of the central government a part of the election message. Women voters, youth voters and beneficiary class were important in his electoral base.
During the era of Pandit Nehru, there were less means to convey the message to the public. Photo: Getty Images
Difference of electoral field also
During Nehru’s time, elections were huge, but political competition was very limited. The Election Commission was new. The literacy rate was low. Radio was the main medium. There were less means of conveying the message to the public. Congress had reach to every village. In Modi’s time, elections are driven by technology. TV, Internet and social media have a big influence. Every party can spread its message immediately. Every mistake can immediately become an issue. The political narrative can change daily. Therefore, winning elections today is not just a matter of popularity. It is also a game of strategy, resources, alliances and message control.
What was Nehru’s challenge?
Nehru’s challenge was more of nation building than electoral competition. He had to implement the Constitution on the ground. Democratic institutions had to be strengthened. The country had to be taken out of the pain of partition. Poverty, illiteracy and industrial backwardness had to be fought. Reorganization of states was also a big issue. His victory was important because it sustained democracy. Democracy had broken down in many new countries. Elections continue in India. Power continued to be decided by public vote. This is considered a big contribution of the Nehru period.
Modi formed a government with absolute majority in 2014. Photo: PTI
What is Modi’s challenge?
Modi’s challenge is different. Today India is established as a democracy. But public expectations are very high. People want employment. Want fast development. Want better roads, electricity, water and digital services. National security is also a big issue. India’s role on the global stage has also become important. Modi also has to face the new situation of coalition politics. After the year 2024, the government is more dependent on the support of allies. Therefore, in the third term he has to show balance with leadership.
How should the comparison be made?
It is not easy to compare Nehru and Modi directly. Both are leaders of different eras. The circumstances of both were different. Nehru’s India was new. Modi’s India is confident and competitive. Nehru was faced with the challenge of national unity and institution building. Modi faces the challenge of development, global competition and complex democratic politics. Yet one similarity is clear. Both got three consecutive election mandates. Both of them kept their party at the center of national politics.
Both of them influenced the politics of their time with their personality.If seen on an electoral scale, both Nehru and Modi are extraordinary leaders. Nehru won three terms during the period of Congress dominance. He gave stability to the new democracy. Modi secured three terms in a highly competitive era. He retained power amid hundreds of parties, regional forces and a fierce media environment. Therefore Nehru’s achievement is historic. Modi’s achievement is huge in the context of competitive democracy. Nehru strengthened the foundation of democracy. Modi has shown consistent electoral success in the changed democracy. The biggest lesson from the comparison of the two is that India’s democracy has been changing. Leaders change. Parties change. Issues change but the final decision is still taken by the voter.
Also read: Who was Barkatullah Bhopali, who shook the British rule from foreign soil?
