Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi completes eight years in office

Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi, the longest serving CM of the state, today completed eight years in office.

Modi, who was not even an MLA then, was made chief minister in October 2001 following BJP's decision to remove the then CM Keshubhai Patel.

Subsequently, Modi won a by-poll from Rajkot.

In Modi's leadership, BJP has won two assembly polls in 2002 and 2007.

The 2002 assembly elections were held in the backdrop of Godhra riots which claimed over 1,000 lives. Subsequent to the riots, Modi concentrated on the development of the state, and often claims to have transformed the state's economy for the better.

He also won the 2007 assembly polls handsomely despite an open rebellion by a section of leaders having allegiance to Keshubhai Patel.