Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the NDA government's 12-year record of development and economic growth demonstrated the value of political stability, while questioning why similar achievements did not materialise during decades of Congress rule.Addressing leaders of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Modi said the coalition's record demonstrated the value of political stability and credited successive NDA governments for steering India through challenges ranging from the Covid-19 pandemic to an uncertain global economic environment.Also read: PM Modi thanks NDA leaders, vowes to continue working with renewed vigour in service of India "If 12 years could bring about this wave of development, one must ask why these did not take shape in the decades of Congress rule," Modi said, framing the NDA's governance record as a contrast to previous governments. The Prime Minister also struck a personal note, expressing gratitude to NDA allies and party workers as he reflected on becoming one of India's longest-serving prime ministers. He described the journey not as an individual accomplishment but as a collective achievement of the NDA family. 12 years of NaMo at Centre Highlighting the government's performance, Modi listed a series of economic and technological milestones that he said reflected India's transformation under the NDA: India recorded economic growth of 7.7 per cent in FY26, according to Modi. GDP growth stood at 7.6 per cent in the last quarter of FY26, despite what he called a fragile global order. The government introduced a tax reprieve for individuals earning up to Rs 12 lakh annually in Union Budget 2025, citing the aspirations of the middle class. More than 100 crore Indians now use the internet, a sharp increase from 2014 levels. India currently produces 33 crore mobile handsets, reflecting the growth of domestic manufacturing. The NDA government proved the importance of a stable government, particularly during the Covid pandemic, Modi said. 'Not my achievement, but NDA's' Thanking alliance partners for passing a resolution marking the occasion, Modi repeatedly stressed that the milestone belonged to the entire NDA rather than to him personally. "Today, I also express my gratitude to all the companions who have been part of this journey. I do not view this journey as a personal achievement. In every respect, it is our collective achievement," he said. The Prime Minister dedicated the recognition to NDA ministers, alliance leaders and grassroots workers, saying every constituent party had contributed to the coalition's success.Also read: 12 years of PM Modi: Bold reforms, decisive decisions and political turning points Recalling the NDA's first victory under his leadership in 2014, Modi said he had then described the election result as "a new dawn of hope" for Indians. He argued that the coalition had worked over the past 12 years to fulfil those aspirations through development-focused governance. Modi also described public service as a form of "spiritual practice", saying his long tenure in office was possible only through the blessings of the people, whom he called the embodiment of God. "Serving Mother India for such a long time is possible only with God's special grace. For me, the people are the embodiment of God. This spiritual practice has never been solitary; it has been a collective yajna," he said. The NDA conclave was held as the ruling alliance marked 12 years of Modi's leadership at the Centre, with the Prime Minister using the platform to project the coalition's governance record, economic performance and political stability as key pillars of its legacy.