BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh visited Gurdwara Sri Bangla Sahib in New Delhi on Wednesday and offered prayers for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking the completion of 12 years of his tenure and his emergence as India’s longest continuously serving elected prime minister.Chugh offered prayers for the Prime Minister’s health and continued leadership, while BJP leaders and workers across the country also visited gurdwaras and temples on the occasion.Speaking after the visit, Chugh said, “Today Prime Minister Modi has completed 12 years in office, and this journey of 4399 days has taken the nation on the path of unprecedented progress. With this, PM Modi has become the Prime Minister who has served the nation for a period longer than even the elected tenure of the first Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru.”According to Chugh, the past 12 years had seen progress across sectors including infrastructure, welfare and economic growth.“The entire world has witnessed the shine and strength of India — be it values, raising India’s name across the globe, transformation in the lives of the poor, building world-class infrastructure, or honouring our heritage,” he said.The BJP leader also highlighted that the government has significantly worked for the betterment of the Sikh community.“PM Modi has always listened to the voice of the Punjabi and Sikh community,” said Chugh.Referring to the opening of the Kartarpur Corridor, he pointed, “The opening of the Kartarpur Corridor, for which the sangat performed ardaas for decades, was fulfilled by PM Modi — a historic day not just for Sikhs but for the Nanak Naam Leva sangat across the world.”Chugh further announced that the Centre had “waived GST on langar at Sri Harmandir Sahib, granted the FCRA licence to Sri Harmandir Sahib, built circular roads connecting the gurdwaras of Punjab, and completed a golden beautification project around Sri Harmandir Sahib.”During the interaction, Chugh also referred to development projects undertaken in Punjab under the Modi government. He noted that Punjab had received “two PGIs, an AIIMS, a cancer institute, two medical colleges, IIT, IIM, thousands of crores of rupees for road infrastructure and about Rs 3,000 crore for the development of railway stations.”He also cited initiatives linked to Sikh heritage, including the War Memorial, the memorial of Baba Banda Singh Bahadur and the observance of Veer Bal Diwas.“Guru Maharaj may bless PM Modi with long life and strength, that he may continue to lead the nation for decades to come, that under his leadership India becomes a Viksit Bharat by 2047, and that peace, prosperity and happiness prevail across the country,” he said, adding that the “siropa, chola and floral blessings received from the Guru Ghar in the name of PM Modi” would be delivered to the Prime Minister.While referring to the religious service attended during the visit, Chugh said the kirtan carried the message, “maanas ki jaat sabhe ekai pehchanbo”, which he described as a reminder of equality and community service.
