Modi served as the chief minister of Gujarat for three consecutive terms, starting from 2001. He was appointed as Gujarat CM in that year in view of Keshubhai Patel's failing health. He got elected to the assembly later and served as the CM of Gujarat till 2014.
In 2014, BJP projected Modi as its prime ministerial candidate and received a huge mandate of 282 seats; the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance went on to secure 386 seats of 543 total Lok Sabha seats. BJP, under Modi, bettered its tally in last year's general election and secured 303 seats.
Modi was active in politics for a long time, much before he became Gujarat CM. When Indira Gandhi imposed Emergency in 1975, Modi reportedly helped raise funds for political refugees and created safe houses for them. In 1987, Modi helped in organising BJP's campaign in Ahmedabad. He steadily rose through the BJP ranks and even helped organise LK Advani's Rath Yatra in 1990.
Modi took a brief break from politics in 1992, reportedly due to frictions with BJP MP Shankersingh Vaghela. He later returned to the party fold in 1994.