An interesting incident from 25 years ago has resurfaced after Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared a memorable anecdote about his early days in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Speaking at a Diwali Milan gathering with journalists in New Delhi on November 12, Modi recalled how a group of women journalists had once surprised him with an unusual demand — “Mithai khilao!”
The incident dates back to the morning of October 2, 2001, when a group of journalists arrived unexpectedly at the BJP’s then headquarters at 11 Ashoka Road in Delhi. At the time, Modi was serving as a party functionary, responsible for coordinating with journalists, arranging meetings and managing media-related activities during party events.
The journalists, particularly a group of women reporters, entered the room where Modi was present and demanded sweets. When he asked what the occasion was, they told him that he was soon going to Gujarat to take charge as the state’s Chief Minister.
Modi, however, expressed surprise and said he had no information about such a development. But the journalists refused to believe him, insisting that they already knew about the decision and accusing him of hiding the news.
Interestingly, only a few senior BJP leaders were aware of the political development at that point. Despite this, the journalists had managed to get information about Modi’s impending appointment. Their prediction eventually proved correct.
Recalling the episode after 25 years, Modi praised the ability of journalists to uncover information, often even before the people directly involved become aware of official decisions.
“I still wonder what it is about you people that always manages to catch us off guard,” he remarked while narrating the incident.
From BJP party worker to Prime Minister
The Prime Minister also reflected on his early responsibilities at the BJP headquarters, recalling how his work involved arranging chairs, welcoming journalists, coordinating guests and ensuring that media personnel were comfortable during party gatherings.
He said the experience of interacting with journalists taught him valuable lessons that continue to help him even today.
Modi took oath as the Chief Minister of Gujarat on October 7, 2001. He completed 25 years as head of a government on October 7, 2026, having served in Gujarat before becoming the Prime Minister of India in 2014.
Looking back at his journey, he highlighted how his responsibilities and relationship with the media had evolved over the years.
Journalism has changed, but the spirit remains the same
Modi also spoke about the dramatic transformation in the media industry, from the days of fax machines and press releases to the present era of smartphones, Instagram reels and instant digital broadcasting.
He recalled a time when television coverage required large outside-broadcast vans and media organisations were far fewer than they are today. Now, social media has given almost everyone a platform to share information and opinions.
Drawing a comparison between journalists’ professional growth and his own political journey, Modi observed that a reporter’s responsibilities change when they become an editor, just as his own role transformed after entering government.
He also appreciated field journalists who rush towards accidents, earthquakes and floods while others move away from danger, often risking their lives to bring information to the public.
The Diwali Milan gathering thus became an opportunity for Modi to revisit his early association with the media and remember a time when his responsibilities at the BJP headquarters were limited to welcoming reporters and arranging chairs.
Among those memories, the demand for sweets by a group of women journalists on October 2, 2001, remains a particularly memorable episode.