Mumbai

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi crossing the milestone of becoming India's longest-serving elected prime minister should be viewed as a historical record rather than a competition with former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

He asserted that Modi's contribution towards shaping what he described as a "New India" has secured him a distinct and enduring place in the country's history, making comparisons unnecessary.

Prime Minister Modi completed 4,399 consecutive days in office on Wednesday, overtaking Nehru's record of 4,398 days as the longest-serving elected prime minister of India.

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Fadnavis said the development was simply the establishment of a new record.

"There is no competition involved. It is merely a matter of record. Among elected prime ministers, Nehruji held the record with 4,398 days in office. Modi ji has now completed 4,399 days and will continue to serve further," he said.

The Maharashtra chief minister noted that both leaders had served the nation in different periods of history and that their work was well known to the public.

"Everyone is aware of what Nehruji accomplished during his tenure and what Modiji has done during his time in office. There is no intention to draw comparisons between the two, nor is there any reason to do so," Fadnavis said.

Emphasising Modi's role in the country's contemporary development journey, he added that the prime minister's contribution to building a "New India" remains firmly established.

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"In the making of a New India, Modi ji's place is unshakeable. Therefore, I do not wish to compare him with anyone else," Fadnavis said.