Narendra Modi started climbing the political ranks quickly once the BJP came to power in Gujarat in 1995. Over the next six years, he went from being national secretary to general secretary and finally, in 2001, rose to the post of Chief Minister of Gujarat, an office he held for three-and-a-half terms.



Mr Modi was promoted to Chief Minister by his party at a time when the BJP was reeling from defeat in the by-elections, resulting in then-Chief Minister Keshubhai Patel resigning from office.