Eight months after a devastating earthquake reduced large parts of Kutch in Gujarat to rubble on January 26, 2001, Narendra Modi received a call from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leadership that would change the direction of his life and the political trajectory of India.
The date marked the beginning of a political career that catapulted him to the very top of Indian politics. The man from Gujarat had earned an early reputation in the party for his organisational skills, his deftness in taking over new roles, and adaptability. But the new position as CM came with challenges that were both unfamiliar and daunting. The earthquake triggered a groundswell of not just grief but anger over poor administration. The state was battling drought for many years, and while people scrambled for water and basic amenities, the ruling dispensation was seen as ineffective and incohesive. The leader has seen the PM work in various capacities, including as a full-time RSS worker. “He is candid about his early days and how with almost no administrative experience, he took over the reins of a crisis-ridden state. His familiarity with the problems that the poor and the marginalised face helped him push for policies that changed their lives. “When I took oath as CM, I remember my mother telling me – I do not have much understanding of your work but I only seek two things. First, you will always work for the poor and second, you will never take a bribe. “The then UPA government was synonymous with the worst form of corruption, cronyism and policy paralysis. India was seen as a weak link in the global order. His party colleagues credit the PM for driving out-of-the-box solutions for challenges ranging from poverty alleviation to the climate crisis. “His curiosity, consistency and communication skills are what set him apart. In Gujarat, he set up the climate change division and a forensic university when others were still to acknowledge the need for such interventions. He is always thinking of doing something new, the most recent example is his attempt to forge a connection with the younger lot, the Gen Z.
Weeks later on October 7, dressed in his trademark short-sleeve kurta, Modi was sworn in by governor Surendra Singh Bhandari as the 14th chief minister of Gujarat, replacing his party colleague and mentor-turned-bete noire Keshubhai Patel. On October 7, he will complete 25 years in public service – of which he’s spent 4,495 days as India’s longest continuously-serving elected prime minister. I also told people that whatever I do will be with the best intent and will be inspired by a vision to serve the very last person in the queue,” the PM said on X in 2025. In the PM’s own words, when he was declared the BJP’s PM-candidate in 2013, the nation was witnessing a crisis of trust and governance. But, the wisdom of the people of India gave our alliance a thumping majority and also ensured that our Party got an absolute majority, a first after 3 long decades,” the PM said in a post last year.
“The very first meeting that he chaired after assuming office laid down what was to become his style…setting deadlines, fixing accountability and taking decisions that are not easy and even politically expedient,” said a senior leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevask Sangh (RSS), the ideological fount of the BJP. The Sangh’s ideology and thrust on antyodaya [uplifting the last person in the queue] was the bedrock of his social welfarism,” said the RSS leader quoted above. He did not hesitate to shift to a medium of communication that they use…” said a second party leader and Union minister.
“Just when people begin to wonder what he will do next, he surprises with his ability to reinvent himself. He is a good listener, he invests time in understanding issues and coming up with suggestions. That is how he has been at the helm since 2014, driving change,” the former CM said.
A former chief minister and BJP leader said the PM’s ability of “reinventing” himself has been a key factor in facing challenges and overcoming the Opposition.
