ever since the time of independent india's first home minister, sardar vallabhbhai patel, the office has been seen as second in seniority only to the prime minister in the union cabinet. like patel, several home ministers have since held the additional portfolio of deputy prime minister. as of february 2018, three home ministers have gone on to become the prime minister who are: lal bahadur shastri, charan singh and p. v. narasimha rao. l.k. advani, serving from 19 march 1998 to 22 may 2004, has held the office of the home minister for the longest continuous period, as of 25 january 2019.