Mumbai

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the completion of 12 years in office, describing him as "not only the longest-serving, but the finest-serving" prime minister who transformed India and elevated its global standing.

Addressing a press conference, Fadnavis said Modi had brought about a "360-degree transformation" in the country and that the significance of his tenure lay not merely in its length but in the scale of change achieved during this period.

"It is important not only because he has served for so long. What is important is that he has changed the face of the country and enhanced India's stature across the world," Fadnavis said.

NDA governs majority of India

The Maharashtra chief minister said the National Democratic Alliance was currently in power in 22 states, adding that nearly 80 per cent of India's population lived in states governed by the alliance.

He also claimed that Modi's popularity remained unmatched internationally.

"International rating agencies consistently rank him as the world's most popular leader," Fadnavis said, noting that the prime minister's approval ratings remained around 75 per cent.

Welfare and governance achievements

Highlighting welfare initiatives launched during Modi's tenure, Fadnavis said the government had lifted 25 crore people out of poverty and ensured food security for 80 crore citizens.

He cited flagship schemes such as:

• Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi
• Ayushman Bharat
• Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana
• Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana
• Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
• Lakhpati Didi

Fadnavis said efficient governance had enabled Rs 51 lakh crore to be transferred directly into citizens' bank accounts through various welfare programmes.

Infrastructure and economic growth

The chief minister noted that annual infrastructure expenditure had risen sharply from around Rs 2 lakh crore earlier to Rs 12.2 lakh crore.

He pointed to major developments including:

• Expansion of national highways,
• Growth in airport infrastructure,
• Railway electrification,
• Expansion of metro networks,
• Introduction of Vande Bharat Express trains.

On the economy, Fadnavis said India had emerged as the world's fourth-largest economy while continuing to record the fastest growth rates globally.

"People kept talking about recession, but India's growth rate this year is the highest in the world. Even today, India is the fastest developing economy," he said.

He added that India was progressing rapidly towards becoming a USD 5 trillion economy.

Development and heritage

Fadnavis also highlighted growth in electronics manufacturing, semiconductor projects, mobile phone production and defence exports.

He said the Modi government had pursued a model of "development with heritage" through projects such as:

• Ram Mandir,
• Kashi Vishwanath Corridor,
• Mahakal Lok Corridor.

Concluding his remarks, Fadnavis said:

"As I said, this is not only about being the longest-serving prime minister. Not only the longest-serving, but the finest-serving. He has brought about a 360-degree transformation in the country."

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On Wednesday, Modi became India's longest-serving elected prime minister in consecutive terms, surpassing the 4,398-day tenure of India's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru.