India, Oct. 7 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday completed 25 years as head of government, drawing praise from BJP leaders and allies who credited his leadership with driving development, expanding welfare delivery and shaping India's political trajectory.

Modi has served continuously as head of government since October 7, 2001, when he became Gujarat chief minister. He went on to serve three terms in the state before becoming prime minister in 2014 and subsequently winning three Lok Sabha elections.

BJP president Nitin Nabin described the 25-year journey as an "unforgettable" chapter of continuous struggle and said Modi's rise marked a departure from the way previous prime ministers had emerged.

Nabin said the 2014 Lok Sabha...